An Israeli airstrike on a northern Gaza home has claimed the lives of three young siblings, all under the age of six, according to Palestinian medics.
The children were among at least six casualties from ongoing Israeli airstrikes while fighting between Israel and Hamas continues.
In Gaza's Jabaliya refugee camp, where Israel has escalated its operations, the strike targeted a home close to a clinic. Emergency services confirmed that additional strikes in Deir al-Balah and the Nuseirat refugee camp led to further casualties, including a 15-year-old boy.
The Israeli military has stated it targets only militant sites and seeks to avoid civilian harm, but the ongoing conflict in Gaza has claimed thousands of lives, including women and children, according to health officials. Israel attributes civilian casualties to Hamas' tactics, claiming the group hides within residential areas.
On Oct. 7 last year Hamas led the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel's history, killing some 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages. Nearly 100 people remain in captivity, less than 70 of whom are believed to be alive. Israel subsequently launched its military operation in Gaza, killing some 43,000 Palestinians so far, according to Gaza's health ministry. Local health officials don't differentiate between civilians and fighters but say many of those killed were women and children.
U.S. Maintains Weapons Flow to Israel
The fatal airstrikes come as the Biden administration announced it would continue its weapons support to Israel, citing some progress in humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza.
This decision follows criticism from eight international aid organizations that argue Israel has not sufficiently expanded humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. Hunger specialists have warned that northern Gaza may be nearing famine conditions, raising concerns over the long-term humanitarian affect.
Amid heightened tensions, the U.S. administration's stance underscores its commitment to supporting Israel militarily while monitoring Gaza's humanitarian situation.
The aid groups' statements reflect ongoing calls for increased access to help ease suffering in Gaza.
Six Dead, 15 Injured in Israeli Strike South of Beirut
Meanwhile in Lebanon, a separate Israeli airstrike on an apartment building in Aramoun, located just south of Beirut, killed at least six individuals and injured 15 others, per the Lebanese Health Ministry.
The strike hit without prior warning, and authorities report children were initially unaccounted for, either trapped under the rubble or transferred to medical facilities. The state-run National News Agency provided further confirmation of the casualties while emergency responders combed through debris.
Targeting Hezbollah Sites
On the same day, Israel also conducted additional strikes targeting Hezbollah sites in Beirut's Dahiyeh suburb.
Although Israel's military did not issue a specific statement about the apartment strike, they have maintained an offensive against Hezbollah since the group's rocket launches into Israel on Oct. 8, 2023 in solidarity with Hamas.
The fighting has escalated, with heavy bombardment intended to drive Hezbollah forces back from the border.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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