Israeli strike kills family of four in northern Gaza, health officials say

Beit Lahiya, Gaza Strip. An Israeli airstrike killed a man, his wife and their two daughters, aged eight and 12, at a house in northern Gaza on Thursday, health officials said. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the attack.

Strikes on homes

The strike occurred in Beit Lahiya amid an escalation in Israeli bombardments of houses over the past two days.

Residents and medics said the Israeli military struck at least six homes across the Gaza Strip during that period, damaging nearby houses and tent shelters and forcing many families to flee.

Some homeowners or their neighbours received calls from the military instructing them to leave the area shortly before missiles hit the buildings, residents said.

Ceasefire claims

A US-backed ceasefire in October 2025 halted large-scale fighting, but Israeli strikes have continued and there has been little progress towards permanent peace.

Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and undermining efforts to implement US President Donald Trump’s broader plan to end the Gaza conflict, including an Israeli withdrawal from the strip and Hamas’ disarmament.

Israel has also said Hamas is violating the agreement.

Casualty figures

More than 1,300 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, according to the territory’s health officials. The Israeli military says four Israeli soldiers have been killed.

Hamas does not usually disclose information about fatalities among its fighters.

The Israeli military did not comment directly on the strikes on homes. It said on Wednesday that it had hit three areas across the Gaza Strip and dismantled three Hamas weapons storage facilities containing explosive devices, anti-tank missiles and other equipment.