Key facts
- An Israeli airstrike killed a man, his wife, and their two daughters in northern Gaza on Thursday.
- The victims were in a house in the town of Beit Lahiya.
- The Israeli military has escalated its bombardment of houses in Gaza over the past two days.
- The Israeli military said it dismantled Hamas weapons storage facilities and rocket launch pits.
- Hamas accused Israel of targeting civilians and their homes.
An Israeli airstrike killed a man, his wife, and their two daughters, aged 8 and 12, in their home in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday, according to health officials. The strike occurred as the Israeli military has intensified its bombardment of houses in the territory over the past two days.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the attack in Beit Lahiya. Residents and medics reported that the Israeli military struck at least six homes across the enclave in the past two days, causing damage and forcing families to flee. Some residents reported receiving calls from the military ordering them to leave shortly before missiles hit their buildings.
The Israeli military stated on Wednesday that it had hit three areas and dismantled three Hamas weapons storage facilities containing explosive devices and anti-tank missiles. On Tuesday, security forces dismantled another three weapon depots used for storing rockets and rifles. On Sunday, the military reported killing three militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, denied Israeli allegations, stating that Israel's targets were civilians and their homes. A U.S.-backed ceasefire, which took effect in October 2025, has halted large-scale fighting but has not ended Israeli strikes, with little progress made toward permanent peace. Hamas accuses Israel of violating the ceasefire, while Israel states Hamas also violates the deal. According to Gaza's health officials, over 1,300 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed since the ceasefire began, while the Israeli military reports four soldiers killed.