Israeli strike kills three in central Gaza

CAIRO: Gaza's health ministry said an Israeli air strike killed three Palestinians, including a child, in Deir al Balah on Monday, in the latest reported deadly incident despite a ceasefire that has officially been in place since October.

According to the ministry, the strike hit the central Gaza city at about 9:30 a.m. local time, or 0630 GMT. An Israeli military official confirmed that an air strike had taken place but did not provide further details.

The health ministry said 12 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since Saturday, including eight men and four children. Monday's strike in Deir al Balah was reported in an area under Hamas control.

Israel occupies around 60% of Gaza. On Sunday, the Israeli military said it had killed a militant from Islamic Jihad, which it said was involved in the abduction of Israeli civilians during the October 7, 2023 attack that sparked the latest war. Israel has continued to carry out strikes in Gaza since the US-mediated truce with Hamas was reached in October last year, saying it targets militants who threaten its forces in the territory or who took part in the 2023 attack.