New Delhi: 11 members of a Palestinian family were killed, the deadliest single incident since the ceasefire began eight days ago. According to Gaza’s civil defence, a tank shell hit a civilian car carrying the Abu Shaaban family in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City on Friday evening.
The victims included seven children and three women. The family was on their way home to check on it when they were attacked. Gaza’s civil defence spokesperson, Mahmoud Basal, said, ‘They should have been warned or handled in another way”. What happened shows that the occupation is still thirsty for blood and continues to commit crimes against innocent civilians.”
Attack near ceasefire line
Hamas condemned the attack, calling it a ‘massacre’ and saying the family was killed without any reason. It appealed the U.S. President Donald Trump and international mediators to pressure Israel to respect the ceasefire agreement.
So far, rescue teams have recovered nine bodies with help from the UN’s humanitarian office (OCHA). The bodies of two children have not been found yet, whose remains were scattered in the attack.
The attack took place near the ‘yellow line,’ the boundary Israel had promised to respect under the ceasefire. Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on those who crossed this line. Many Palestinians still don’t know where Israeli forces are, because of limited internet access, leaving families at risk, as reported by Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary.
Israel controls half of Gaza
Israel Katz, Israel’s Defence Minister, said the boundaries of the yellow lines will soon be made clear.
For now, Israeli forces control around half of Gaza. Meanwhile, as talks continue to exchange captives for Palestinian prisoners, at least 38 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began, the Gaza Media Office said.The delivery of essential aid, like food and medicine, has also been restricted.
The attack highlights the fragile state of the ceasefire, and the dangers civilians face in their daily life, especially families trying to survive amid the violence.