Israeli Airstrikes and Settler Attacks Kill Six Palestinians

At least six Palestinians were killed on Sunday amid escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank.

In Gaza City, an Israeli airstrike killed three men near Al-Azhar University, according to Mohamed Abu Selmia, head of Al Shifa Hospital. The victims included a paramedic, Mohammad Hamduna, and two others, Mohammad Abu Shedeq and Ahmed Lafi. The strike wounded several others and hit areas near crowded tent camps. The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted two alleged Hamas members, though no group has confirmed their affiliation.

Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers killed three Palestinians in separate attacks. In Khirbet Abu Falah, two men—Fare Jawdat Hamayel (57) and Thaer Farouq Hamayel (24)—were shot in the head during an overnight attack. A third, Muhammad Hassan Murrah (55), died from tear gas suffocation when confronting the attackers.

Earlier reports from Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, said 27-year-old Amir Muhammad Shanaran was killed in a settler attack on Saturday night.

Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh condemned the attacks, noting three deaths and seven injuries. The Israeli military said soldiers were dispatched following reports of confrontations between settlers and Palestinians, and investigations are ongoing.

Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, over 1,000 Palestinians, including civilians and resistance members, have been killed in the occupied West Bank. In the same period, at least 45 Israelis, both civilians and soldiers, have died in attacks or military operations.

The ongoing U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran has intensified settler attacks in rural West Bank areas, although overall airstrikes on Gaza have declined in recent days. Gaza continues to suffer severe destruction from more than two years of Israeli offensives, which have killed over 72,000 Palestinians, according to local authorities.