An Israeli drone strike killed a 13-year-old boy in the northern Gaza Strip yesterday, health officials said, as residents reported a renewed pattern of Israeli warnings urging people to flee ahead of attacks – a practice that had largely subsided after an October ceasefire.
Medics said the boy was killed and others wounded when an Israeli drone dropped a grenade in the town of Beit Lahiya.
The Israeli military said it struck a person who it said had crossed its armistice line with Hamas and approached troops.
It said the person was part of a group who it said may have been attempting to place an explosive device in the area.
“Following the incident, a report was received regarding a minor who was harmed,” the military said, adding that an inquiry indicated the minor was with the person its troops had struck.
Reuters was not able to independently corroborate either account.
The October ceasefire, brokered by US President Donald Trump, has failed to halt Israeli attacks in Gaza, with Israel and Hamas deadlocked in indirect talks over Hamas’ disarmament.
The ceasefire left Israel in control of more than half of Gaza, with Hamas controlling a sliver of territory along the coast.
Some 880 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the truce came into effect, according to figures from Gaza health officials that do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
Four Israeli soldiers were killed during the same period, according to the Israeli military.
Hamas does not disclose figures for casualties among its fighters.
Israel says its post-ceasefire strikes are aimed at preventing attacks or stopping people from approaching its armistice line with Hamas.
Gaza residents say Israeli forces have in recent days resumed issuing evacuation orders ahead of strikes.
Witnesses reported at least three such warnings in the past two days, targeting two homes and a tent encampment.
&uuid=(email))