An Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza has resulted in one death and five injuries, according to local authorities. The attack occurred on Wednesday when a projectile struck a three-wheeled tuk-tuk near the Western Roundabout in Beit Lahiya.
The victim was identified as Mohanad Saada, who was part of a municipal maintenance crew. Civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal stated that Saada and his team were returning from a mission to repair a water well that had been damaged during previous military engagements. His remains, along with the five wounded individuals, were transported to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
Reflecting on the resumption of hostilities, Basal noted that while Israeli aerial operations and targeted strikes had largely paused for over a week, the occupation has now resumed its bombardment. The Israeli military confirmed the operation, asserting that it was intended to target a Hamas commander allegedly involved in planning attacks against their forces.
Beyond the strike in Beit Lahiya, journalists in the region reported additional military activity on Wednesday. This included a quadcopter drone strike in Khan Younis that left a father and his 13-year-old son injured, as well as artillery shelling near the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. The father, describing the sudden nature of the drone attack, recounted that his son sustained severe shrapnel wounds to his head and leg while they were walking.
These developments follow the recent rejection by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of a 15-point peace proposal introduced by US President Donald Trump. The plan, which sought the total disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, had received an endorsement from Hamas, but was formally dismissed by the Israeli government on Sunday.
Since the implementation of a US-backed ceasefire in October, Israeli military actions have resulted in the deaths of more than 1,250 Palestinians, the majority of whom were civilians. The broader conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has seen the total Palestinian death toll rise to at least 73,388, with 174,259 others reported wounded.
While heavy airstrikes had seen a temporary reduction due to ongoing international diplomatic discussions, ground-level shelling and drone operations have persisted throughout the territory.
The father of the critically wounded 13-year-old boy told Al Jazeera that his son had shrapnel wounds.
“I had bought some falafel, and I was walking, and suddenly there was something like a bomb that exploded,” the father said.
The attacks came days after Israel said it rejected the latest version of United States President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza.