Israeli strikes kill five Palestinians, including nine-year-old girl, in Gaza

Gaza City: At least five Palestinians, including a nine-year-old girl, were killed in separate incidents in Gaza on Sunday, according to local health officials, as Israeli military operations continued despite an ongoing ceasefire.

Four people were killed and another injured after an Israeli drone strike hit a blacksmith shop in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City, officials at Shifa Hospital said. The casualties were taken to the hospital following the attack.

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out a strike in the area, saying it had targeted "terrorist infrastructure", but did not provide further details.

According to local reports, the military had issued an evacuation order for the area after the initial strike. Around an hour later, the blacksmith shop was hit by a series of intense airstrikes.

In a separate incident, nine-year-old Tala Abu Matar was killed by Israeli gunfire at a displacement camp in central Gaza, officials from Gaza's Health Ministry said. The Israeli military stated that it was not aware of the reported incident.

Although Israeli strikes have declined significantly since a ceasefire came into effect on 10 October, military operations continue almost daily. Israel says it targets Hamas and other militant groups, often claiming the operations are intended to prevent planned attacks. However, civilians have also continued to be among the casualties.

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, at least 1,098 Palestinians, including more than 260 children, have been killed since the ceasefire began. During the same period, five Israeli soldiers have also been killed.

The war began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

Gaza's Health Ministry says Israel's subsequent military offensive has killed 73,221 Palestinians. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its figures but says women and children account for around half of those killed.

Meanwhile, negotiations between Israel and Hamas over the second phase of the ceasefire remain at an impasse. Key issues include the disarmament of Hamas and plans for Gaza's reconstruction.

With much of Gaza devastated by the conflict, the majority of its population of more than two million people remains displaced, many living in overcrowded tent camps or damaged buildings with limited access to basic services.