Gaza's Hamas-run civil defence reports that 11 individuals, all from the same family, were killed after the bus they were in was struck by an Israeli tank shell in northern Gaza.
The victims, members of the Abu Shaaban family, were attempting to assess the condition of their home when the incident occurred in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood on Friday night.
This event is noted as the deadliest single occurrence involving Israeli soldiers since the onset of a ceasefire eight days prior.
The Israeli military justified its action by stating that soldiers targeted a suspicious vehicle that was seen crossing the demarcated yellow line indicating areas occupied by Israeli forces in Gaza.
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that soldiers fired warning shots at the vehicle, which continued to proceed despite their warning, prompting further action.
Mahmud Bassal, a civil defence spokesperson, expressed dismay at the loss of life, stating the victims were merely trying to check on their home and lamenting the inclusion of women and children among the deceased.
The IDF maintained that they had acted in accordance with their operational protocol to neutralize threats. However, Hamas responded by accusing the Israeli military of targeting civilians without cause.
The situation escalates further with claims of uncertainty amongst Palestinians regarding the whereabouts of Israeli troops, as the yellow line isn’t visibly marked, complicating navigation in the area due to restricted internet access.
The violent backdrop to this tragedy follows a broader context where ongoing conflict has claimed approximately 67,900 lives in Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, a figure recognized as credible by the UN.
Efforts to maintain peace and uphold ceasefire agreements remain tenuous, intensified by the complex interplay of military actions, civilian safety, and humanitarian crises in the region.
