At least 13 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air strikes in Gaza, including two boys, a pregnant woman carrying twins and nine police officers, according to local health officials.
One of the strikes on Sunday hit a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing four people, including a couple in their 30s and their 10-year-old son, officials at Al-Aqsa Hospital said.
A 15-year-old neighbour was also killed in the attack and was taken to Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat.
Residents describe sudden strike
Residents in the area said the attack occurred without warning.
“We were sleeping and woke up to the sound of a missile strike. The blast was very strong,” said Mahmoud al-Muhtaseb, a neighbour of the affected family.
The hospital confirmed that the woman killed in the strike was pregnant with twins.
Police officers killed in separate attack
In a separate incident, another air strike hit a police vehicle near the Philadelphi Corridor at the entrance of the town of az-Zawayda.
According to Gaza’s Interior Ministry, the attack killed nine police officers, including Colonel Iyad Ab Yousef, a senior police official in central Gaza.
Officials said the officers were monitoring markets and maintaining public order during the holy month of Ramadan at the time of the strike.
Fourteen others were reported injured in the attack.
The Israeli military has not issued immediate comments regarding the strikes.
Continued violence despite ceasefire efforts
The latest deaths come amid continued tensions in Gaza despite attempts at a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas aimed at reducing hostilities in the region.
Although large-scale fighting has decreased, near-daily attacks and military operations continue, according to local authorities.
Gaza health officials say more than 650 Palestinians have been killed since October 10, 2025 in ongoing incidents across the enclave.
Rafah crossing expected to reopen
Meanwhile, Israel has announced plans to partially reopen the Rafah crossing with Egypt on March 18, allowing limited passenger movement.
The crossing had been closed for two weeks, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
However, cargo shipments will not be allowed, and travel will require prior security clearance and coordination with Egypt.
Health authorities say more than 20,000 Palestinians are waiting for medical treatment outside Gaza, including thousands of cancer patients and children.
Aid agencies warn that only around 200 aid trucks per day are currently entering Gaza, far below the estimated 600 trucks needed daily to meet basic humanitarian needs.
Officials say shortages of medicines and medical supplies continue to worsen conditions for civilians already displaced by years of conflict.