Israeli Strike in Gaza Kills Seven People, Health Officials Say

July 18, 2026 - 02:55

An Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip killed at least seven people on Tuesday, according to Palestinian health officials. The Israeli military stated the attack was aimed at members of the second-largest militant group in the territory, but acknowledged reports of civilian casualties.

The strike hit a residential area in the Nuseirat refugee camp, a densely populated district. Health officials said the dead included women and children, though they did not provide immediate names or ages. The wounded were taken to the nearby Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where medical staff described the scene as chaotic.

The Israeli military said in a statement that it was "aware of the claims that several uninvolved individuals" had been harmed and that it was reviewing the incident. It identified the target as a cell of fighters from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, which has been active in launching rockets toward Israel. The military did not provide evidence linking the specific site to militant activity.

The strike comes amid a broader escalation in the region. Israeli forces have intensified operations in Gaza following a surge in cross-border attacks. The United Nations and humanitarian groups have repeatedly warned about the rising civilian death toll, which has surpassed 35,000 since the conflict began in October, according to local health authorities.

Palestinian officials condemned the strike as a massacre. "This is not a targeted operation. This is a war crime," said a spokesman for the Gaza Health Ministry. The Israeli government maintains that it takes precautions to avoid civilian casualties and blames Hamas and other groups for operating within populated areas.

The incident is likely to fuel further international calls for a ceasefire. Diplomatic efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have stalled in recent weeks, with both sides sticking to their demands.