Key facts
- An Israeli strike on a funeral in central Gaza killed at least seven people and wounded 22.
- The Israeli military said it targeted a "terrorist cell" belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
- The military acknowledged that civilians may have been harmed in the strike.
- The funeral was for individuals killed in an earlier strike.
- Hamas called the strike a "heinous crime."
An Israeli strike on a funeral in the central Gaza Strip killed at least seven people and wounded 22, according to local officials and hospital reports. The Israeli military stated it targeted a "terrorist cell" belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group and acknowledged that civilians may have been harmed.
The strike occurred at a funeral for individuals killed in an earlier attack. Hamas condemned the strike as a "heinous crime."
In addition to the funeral strike, other Israeli attacks in Gaza resulted in five more deaths, including two women. The Palestinian Health Ministry, which maintains detailed casualty records, states that over 73,264 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began. The ministry does not break down civilian and militant deaths but indicates that women and children constitute the majority of fatalities.
Israel has increased its strikes in Gaza in recent weeks, targeting militants. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data group, Israel conducted 40 attacks targeting militants in June, the highest monthly total since a ceasefire took effect in October. Since that ceasefire, at least 1,123 people have been killed in Gaza. Five Israeli soldiers have also been killed since the ceasefire.