Eleven members of a single family were killed in an Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip, including seven children and three women. The deadly assault came just eight days after a ceasefire was declared, marking a serious violation of the truce.
According to a report by Al Jazeera on Sunday (October 19), Israeli tank shells struck a civilian vehicle belonging to the Abu Shahban family in the Zaytoun area of Gaza City on Friday evening. The family was reportedly on their way to check on their damaged home when the attack occurred.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense, said the victims included seven children and three women. He added, “They could have been warned or spared, but what happened proves the occupying forces remain bloodthirsty and continue committing crimes against innocent civilians.”
The Civil Defense, with assistance from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), recovered nine bodies, though two children remain missing, their bodies likely torn apart by the powerful blast.
Hamas condemned the incident as a massacre, claiming the attack was carried out without any justification. The group called on U.S. President Donald Trump and other mediators to pressure Israel to honor the ceasefire.
Gaza’s media office reported that despite the ongoing prisoner-exchange deal, at least 38 Palestinians have been killed by Israel as of Saturday. Access to essential aid—such as food, water, and medical supplies—also remains heavily restricted.
The United Nations warned this week that humanitarian convoys are struggling to reach famine-stricken areas in Gaza. Nearly 49% of Gaza’s population now receives less than six liters of drinkable water per day—far below emergency standards.
The World Food Programme (WFP) stated that since the ceasefire began, they have been able to deliver an average of 560 tons of food per day to Gaza—significantly below the amount needed to prevent malnutrition and famine.