Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least four Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, according to health officials. The dead included a married couple and a 17-year-old boy, as violence continued despite an existing ceasefire.
Medics said an Israeli airstrike hit an apartment in Gaza City, killing Akram Yassin and his wife, Dina Abu Baker. The Israeli military confirmed an attack in the area but provided no further details. Relatives and other mourners later gathered for the couple’s funeral.
In southern Gaza, medics reported that Israeli gunfire killed a 17-year-old boy near the Qizan Al-Najar neighbourhood in Khan Younis. Another Palestinian died from Israeli gunfire in the Zeitoun suburb, east of Gaza City. The incidents brought Tuesday’s reported death toll to at least four.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on either reported shooting. Meanwhile, Palestinians inspected the damaged apartment before attending the couple’s funeral. Mahmoud Yassin, whose brother died in the violence, said residents were not experiencing the promised ceasefire.
He said killings, shelling and other attacks continued despite the truce. His remarks reflected concerns among Palestinians about the ongoing violence and the ceasefire’s effectiveness. However, the incidents’ circumstances and the military’s account of the shootings remained unclear.
Read more: Israeli strike kills five Palestinians in Gaza City
Israel says Hamas has been rebuilding its weapons stockpiles and violating the ceasefire through attacks. Hamas denies those allegations and accuses Israel of weakening the agreement. Israel has increased strikes against the group in recent weeks, according to the report.
The United States brokered the ceasefire a year ago, with plans for Gaza’s eventual reconstruction. However, progress toward implementing the wider agreement has remained limited, including provisions for Hamas to disarm and Israeli forces to withdraw. Gaza health officials report at least 1,500 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire began, while Israel says four of its soldiers have died in Gaza during the same period.