A father and his daughter were killed in an Israeli drone strike in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, highlighting the continuing violence in the region even as global attention remains focused on the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.

According to reports from the ground, the attack took place early on Saturday in central Khan Younis, where the drone strike killed the two civilians.

Continued strikes in Gaza

In a separate attack later the same day in the Khan Younis area, another person was reportedly killed and a young girl was injured, according to local correspondents.

Israeli forces have continued carrying out air strikes, artillery shelling and naval bombardments across Gaza, despite an earlier ceasefire announcement.

Reports also indicated heavy gunfire east of Gaza City, where Israeli army-affiliated militias were advancing. Initial reports suggested that a member of the Palestinian police was abducted during the clashes.

Israeli warplanes also struck areas east of the Tuffah neighbourhood near Gaza City, while naval forces fired heavy machine guns and shells towards Gaza’s coastline.

Border crossings remain restricted

The Rafah border crossing, located on Gaza’s southern border, remains closed. The crossing had briefly reopened last month, allowing a limited number of Palestinians, including patients requiring urgent medical treatment, to leave the territory.

However, thousands of people are still unable to travel for medical care due to ongoing restrictions.

Meanwhile, the Karem Abu Salem crossing (Kerem Shalom) remains partially open only for humanitarian aid under strict limitations.

Severe humanitarian crisis

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical. Nearly the entire population of more than two million people has been displaced during the ongoing conflict, and many residents rely heavily on humanitarian assistance.

Human rights organisations have warned that restrictions on aid and supplies have contributed to shortages of medicine, food, water and reconstruction materials across the territory.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, since the ceasefire was announced, around 640 Palestinians have been killed and at least 1,700 injured.

Overall, since October 2023, more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 171,000 injured in Gaza.

Rising tensions in the West Bank

Violence has also intensified in the occupied West Bank.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that a Palestinian man was injured by live fire near the Karmei Tzur settlement north of Hebron.

Three others were reportedly injured after being attacked by Israeli settlers in the Ras al-Ahmar area south of Tubas.

Israeli forces also carried out raids in the towns of Qaffin and Kafr al-Labad, north of Tulkarem, while another Palestinian man was injured during an assault near the village of Azmut, east of Nablus.

According to the United Nations, at least 1,094 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli troops and settlers since October 2023.