Israeli Air Strike in Gaza Kills Eight, Including Five Children, on Eid al-Fitr

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories, 30 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – At least eight Palestinians, including five children, were killed in an Israeli air strike early Sunday, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency. The attack targeted a residential house and a tent sheltering displaced families in Khan Yunis, as Palestinians marked the first day of Eid al-Fitr.

Mahmud Bassal, spokesperson for the civil defence agency, confirmed the casualties, stating, “There are eight martyrs, including five children, following a pre-dawn Israeli air strike on a house and a tent sheltering displaced people in Khan Yunis.”

Renewed Hostilities Amid Ceasefire Negotiations

The strike comes as both Hamas and Israel acknowledge receiving a fresh truce proposal from mediators, including Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, aiming to pause hostilities in Gaza during the holiday period. A senior Hamas official announced on Saturday that the group had agreed to the proposal and called on Israel to do the same. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed receipt of the plan and stated that a counterproposal had been submitted.

Background of the Conflict

The war in Gaza was ignited by Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, which led to the deaths of 1,218 people, as per an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Additionally, 251 individuals were taken hostage, 58 of whom remain in captivity, with 34 reported deceased according to Israeli military sources.

Since the conflict began, Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 50,277 people, the majority of them civilians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry under Hamas administration.

A Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies

The air strike in Khan Yunis underscores the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where continuous Israeli bombardment and ground offensives have displaced hundreds of thousands of residents. International aid organisations have repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian relief and prevent further loss of civilian life.

While negotiations for a truce continue, the people of Gaza remain trapped in an escalating cycle of violence, with limited access to food, medical care, and safe shelter.

Casualties in Recent Conflict

As global diplomatic efforts persist, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with the international community closely monitoring developments for any sign of de-escalation.