Israeli Strikes and Shelling in Gaza Kill at Least 4 Palestinians, Health Workers Say

Israeli airstrikes and shelling across the Gaza Strip on Sunday killed at least four Palestinians, including a 13-year-old girl, according to local health officials.

The first strike targeted a group of people in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, killing two people and injuring another, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said.

A separate Israeli strike in southern Gaza killed one man, according to health officials at Nasser Hospital.

The 13-year-old girl, Eileen al-Farra, was killed by shrapnel from Israeli tank shelling in southern Gaza, hospital officials said.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incidents but said one of the strikes targeted a "Hamas terrorist," without providing further details.

Palestinians reported heavy tank shelling across Gaza on Sunday, along with quadcopter drones flying overhead.

Although the heaviest fighting has subsided since a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October, Palestinians continue to report casualties almost daily. Israel says it targets Hamas and other militants who pose a threat or violate the ceasefire.

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, more than 1,040 people have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire began. The ministry's casualty records are generally regarded as reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, although it does not distinguish between civilians and militants. It says women and children account for about half of the deaths.

Israel says five of its soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire came into effect.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken. Since then, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 73,050 Palestinians, including those killed after the ceasefire, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.