At least eight people were killed and 22 others sustained injuries following an Israeli military strike in central Gaza on Friday. The incident occurred as a crowd gathered for a funeral procession in the Al-Balata market area, situated within the Nuseirat refugee camp.
Gaza's civil defense agency, which operates as a rescue service under Hamas, confirmed the casualties, stating that Israeli warplanes targeted the gathering of civilians. The Al-Awda hospital reported that it received the bodies of the eight victims and provided medical treatment to the 22 wounded individuals. Civil defense spokesman Mahmoud Bassal provided details regarding the strike's impact on the funeral procession.
In response to the incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated they had conducted a strike against a "terrorist cell" associated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group. A military spokesperson noted, "A short while ago, the IDF struck a terrorist cell of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organisation in the central Gaza Strip."
The Israeli military acknowledged the reports of civilian casualties, stating that it was aware of claims that uninvolved individuals may have been harmed during the operation. The IDF confirmed that the results of the strike are currently under review.
Data provided by the Gaza Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas authority, indicates that at least 1,127 Palestinians have been killed since the current truce period began. During this same timeframe, the Israeli military has reported the deaths of at least five soldiers within the Gaza Strip.
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