Israeli Strike Kills Parents and Two Children in Gaza, Medics Say

An Israeli airstrike on a home in northern Gaza has killed a Palestinian couple and their two young daughters, according to Palestinian health officials, in the latest deadly incident reported despite a fragile ceasefire in the territory.

The strike hit a house in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, killing a man, his wife and their two daughters, aged eight and 12, according to health officials cited by Reuters and the Associated Press.

The deaths come amid renewed Israeli bombardment across parts of Gaza, with several homes reportedly targeted over the past two days. The attacks have damaged surrounding buildings and forced additional families to flee their homes.

Medical officials said the four members of the same family were killed when their home in Beit Lahiya was struck.

The incident has added to concerns over the continued loss of civilian life in Gaza, where many residents remain displaced and are living in damaged homes or temporary shelters.

The latest deaths were reported as Israeli strikes continued in different parts of the enclave.

The Israeli military has said its recent attacks were directed at Hamas military infrastructure, including weapons storage sites, rocket-launching positions and explosive devices.

Hamas has rejected Israel’s justification for the attacks, saying the strikes have instead hit residential areas and civilians.

The conflicting claims could not immediately be independently verified.

The latest strike comes despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025, which was intended to bring an end to large-scale fighting in Gaza.

However, both Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of violating the ceasefire.

According to Reuters, more than 1,300 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed since the ceasefire began, while Israel has reported four soldiers killed during the same period.

The continuing violence has raised concerns over the durability of the ceasefire and the prospects for implementing the wider peace framework backed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

That plan includes provisions for an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas, but efforts to move the process forward have made little progress.

The latest deaths also come as Gaza’s humanitarian situation remains severe.

Hospitals are struggling with shortages of fuel and other essential supplies needed to operate generators and provide medical care. Reuters reported that some hospitals are facing serious risks to critical services because of difficulties maintaining generators and obtaining engine oil and spare parts.

For civilians in northern Gaza, renewed attacks are adding another layer of uncertainty to an already precarious situation.

The killing of the family of four is likely to intensify calls for both sides to respect the ceasefire and protect civilians.

As diplomatic efforts continue, the latest violence underscores the difficulty of translating the ceasefire agreement into a lasting reduction in hostilities across Gaza.