Gazans mourn six killed in Israeli shelling of shelter

Victims identified

The civil defence, which operates under Hamas authority, initially reported five deaths in the Tuffah neighbourhood east of Gaza City, but updated the toll to six on Saturday. Two people remain unaccounted for under the rubble.

Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Hospital, identified the victims as a four-month-old infant, a 14-year-old girl, two men, and two women. Relatives were seen at the hospital mourning their loved ones.

Eyewitness accounts

Witness Nafiz Al-Nader described the scene as “not a truce, it is a bloodbath,” calling for an end to the daily violence. Another relative, Abdullah Al-Nader, said the shelling erupted suddenly in what was considered a safe area, targeting women, children, and civilians.

Israeli military response

The Israeli military said Friday that troops fired at “suspicious individuals to eliminate the threat” in the northern Gaza Strip and that the incident is under review. The statement expressed regret for any harm caused to uninvolved civilians.

Hamas denounces shelling

Hamas condemned the attack as “a brutal crime against innocent civilians” and a “flagrant, recurring violation of the ceasefire agreement.” The movement called on ceasefire mediators and the US administration to intervene immediately.

Fragile ceasefire

The ceasefire, brokered by the US and in effect since October 10, remains fragile. Gaza’s health ministry reported at least 401 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the truce began. Israel has accused Hamas of violations, including the deaths of three Israeli soldiers during the same period.