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Israeli strikes kill three in Gaza as defence minister warns of evacuations over kites

Recent attacks hit tents and a vehicle in Gaza while Israeli officials threaten forced relocations over airborne items.

The short version

  • At least three Palestinians were killed in separate Israeli drone and air strikes across Gaza City and Khan Younis on Thursday.
  • Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel will evacuate residents from any Gaza neighborhood where kites or balloons are launched.
  • The Israeli military claimed its strike in Khan Younis targeted Hamas fighters, including a commander involved in holding Israeli hostages.
  • Casualties continue to mount despite a US-brokered ceasefire in effect since October 2025.

Key facts

  • Israeli strikes on Thursday killed three Palestinians across separate locations, including tents housing displaced people in Gaza City and al-Mawasi, as well as an electric bicycle near Gaza City.[Al Jazeera]
  • Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel would evacuate residents from any area in Gaza where kites or balloons are launched, equating them to drones.[Al Jazeera]
  • The Israeli military claimed the strike in Khan Younis killed a Hamas commander who participated in holding three Israeli hostages.[Al Jazeera]
  • Gaza's Health Ministry reported that Israeli attacks have killed over 1,300 Palestinians and injured more than 4,000 since the October 2025 ceasefire took effect.[Al Jazeera]
  • The Israeli military reported five military personnel and one civilian contractor killed during the same post-ceasefire period.[Al Jazeera]

What remains uncertain

  • The total identity and affiliation of all victims of the Thursday strikes remain unverified outside of the military's claims regarding Hamas targets.[Al Jazeera]

Sources