Father, daughter killed in Israeli drone strike in Gaza as genocide continues

A Palestinian father and his daughter were killed in an Israeli drone strike in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis early Saturday, as Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza continues while global attention remains focused on the broader United States-Israel conflict with Iran.

According to local sources and journalists on the ground, the pair were killed in central Khan Younis. In a separate attack later the same day, another person was killed and a young girl injured in the same city.

Israeli forces have continued daily air strikes, artillery shelling and naval bombardment across Gaza despite an October 11 ceasefire, as the humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave deepens.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said at least two additional people were wounded in the past 48 hours.

Strikes and clashes across Gaza

Palestinian sources reported that Israeli warplanes struck several areas east of the Tuffah neighbourhood near Gaza City, while Israeli naval forces fired heavy machine guns and shells towards the Gaza coastline.

Meanwhile, armed groups affiliated with the Israeli military reportedly advanced east of Gaza City, with heavy gunfire heard in the area. Initial reports also suggested that a member of the Palestinian police was abducted.

Gaza Border crossings and humanitarian situation

The Rafah crossing on Gaza’s southern border remains closed after Israel shut it following the escalation with Iran. The crossing had reopened only last month for limited departures, allowing some Palestinians — including critically ill patients — to leave the territory for urgent medical treatment.

Thousands of others remain unable to travel for care.

Another key crossing, Karem Abu Salem — known in Israel as Kerem Shalom — is partially open but restricted to the entry of humanitarian aid under strict controls.

Nearly all of Gaza’s population of more than two million people has been displaced during Israel’s genocide in the territory, leaving the enclave heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance.

A February report by Human Rights Watch said Israeli restrictions have contributed to severe shortages of medicine, reconstruction materials, food and clean water.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 640 Palestinians have been killed and about 1,700 wounded since the ceasefire began. Since October 2023, the death toll in Gaza has reached at least 72,123 people, while more than 171,800 others have been injured.

Violence also intensifies in the West Bank

Tensions have also continued in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its teams treated a Palestinian who was shot with live ammunition near the Karmei Tzur settlement north of Hebron.

In another incident, three Palestinians were injured after being assaulted by Israeli settlers in the Ras al-Ahmar area south of Tubas, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Israeli forces also carried out raids early Saturday in the towns of Qaffin and Kafr al-Labad near Tulkarem.

Another Palestinian man was injured after being assaulted by Israeli soldiers near the village of Azmut, east of Nablus.

Since October 2023, violence in the occupied West Bank has intensified significantly. According to United Nations figures, at least 1,094 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the territory during that period.