Israeli attacks on Gaza intensify with five killed in last 24 hours, says health ministry

What Happened

Israeli attacks on Gaza intensified over the last 24 hours, with five Palestinians killed, according to the Palestinian health ministry. On Tuesday morning, at least seven air strikes hit an area west of Gaza City within a 10-minute period, killing a child, and Israeli soldiers opened fire in Deir el-Balah, killing another child. Palestinian journalist Abdulrahman Ismail reported on X that the Gaza City strikes targeted an area near a field hospital and thousands of tents sheltering displaced Palestinians, and that quadcopter drones surrounded the area, opening fire and dropping explosives at anyone moving; he also reported smoke bombs over Al-Shati and said people remained trapped, though he said exactly what unfolded remained unclear. Mai Elawawda, Medical Aid for Palestine's Communications Officer in Gaza, said Israeli military attacks had not stopped all week.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The reported strikes near a field hospital and tent encampments west of Gaza City raise humanitarian and legal concerns over attacks near civilian shelters, displacement sites, and medical infrastructure. The continuation of Israeli operations despite periodic ceasefire discussions underscores the fragility of the Gaza front and the difficulty of protecting displaced populations in dense urban areas.

Watch For

Confirmation or denial from the Israeli military on the reported air strikes, drone fire, and smoke bombs near Al-Shati; updated casualty figures from the Palestinian health ministry and independent sources such as UN OCHA or MSF; any displacement or evacuation orders affecting the tents near the field hospital; and statements from mediators or UN agencies on whether these incidents affect ongoing ceasefire negotiations.