Six Palestinian civilians, including two women, were killed and at least 15 others injured on Saturday evening after an Israeli airstrike targeted a tent sheltering displaced families in western Gaza City, according to local and medical sources.

The strike hit a makeshift shelter near Al-Rimal Boys’ Preparatory School in the Al-Rimal neighborhood, where families displaced by months of conflict had sought refuge. Witnesses reported that the attack caused multiple casualties among civilians, with children accounting for the majority of the wounded.

Emergency teams rushed to the scene to evacuate the injured and recover the bodies of those killed amid scenes of devastation and panic among displaced residents.

The latest attack comes as Israeli military operations continue across the Gaza Strip despite a ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 11. Palestinian officials have repeatedly accused Israeli forces of carrying out ongoing attacks throughout the enclave, resulting in further civilian casualties and destruction.

Earlier on Saturday, medical sources in Gaza reported that the overall death toll from the Israeli offensive that began on October 7, 2023, had risen to 72,961 Palestinians, while at least 173,092 others have been wounded.

According to health authorities, since the ceasefire entered into force, 951 Palestinians have been killed and 2,984 injured in incidents across the Gaza Strip. In addition, rescue and recovery teams have retrieved 782 bodies from areas previously inaccessible due to extensive destruction.

Humanitarian organizations continue to warn of worsening conditions across Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians remain dependent on temporary shelters amid severe shortages of food, medicine, clean water, and essential services.

The strike on the displacement tent in Al-Rimal adds to growing concerns over the safety of civilians seeking refuge in schools, camps, and other temporary shelters as violence continues across the besieged territory. (ILKHA)