Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least four Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, including a married couple and a 17-year-old, health officials said. The deaths took place in separate incidents.
Medics said an Israeli airstrike on an apartment in Gaza City killed Akram Yassin and his wife, Dina Abu Baker. In Khan Younis, in the south, a 17-year-old boy was shot dead by Israeli fire near the Qizan Al-Najar neighbourhood. A further person was killed by Israeli gunfire in the Zeitoun suburb, east of Gaza City, bringing the day’s toll to at least four.
Israeli military silent on gunfire deaths
The Israeli military had not immediately responded to either of the two gunfire incidents. Palestinians examined the damage from the Gaza City strike before gathering for the couple’s funeral.
Mahmoud Yassin, whose brother was killed, said the territory was meant to be in a ceasefire period but that he saw no real calm. He said targeted killings and shelling were still continuing.
Ceasefire strains as both sides trade accusations
Israel says Hamas has been rearming and launching attacks in breach of the truce, and it has stepped up strikes on the group in recent weeks. Hamas denies trying to carry out attacks or rebuild its arsenal, and accuses Israel of undermining the Gaza peace deal.
The US-brokered ceasefire, agreed a year ago, provides for eventual reconstruction of the territory. However, little progress has been made on a wider agreement that would require Hamas to disarm and Israel to pull back its troops. Gaza health officials say at least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the truce took effect, while Israel says four of its soldiers have been killed by militants over the same period.
