At least 11 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday as Israeli military operations intensified, marking one of the deadliest days in months despite an ongoing ceasefire. Among the dead were three journalists reporting on humanitarian conditions and two 13-year-old boys, according to health officials in Gaza. The violence highlights the fragile state of the truce and growing civilian suffering.
Journalists Killed While Documenting Aid Efforts
Three Palestinian media workers lost their lives when their clearly marked vehicle was struck in central Gaza while they were heading to film conditions at a newly set-up displacement camp. The journalists—freelance photographer Mohammed Qeshta, media contributor Abdul Raouf Shaat, and photographer Anas Ghneim—were reporting on humanitarian relief efforts when the strike hit their car. Their deaths have reignited concerns about the safety of news crews in the conflict zone.
The vehicle was reportedly associated with an Egyptian relief committee aiding displaced civilians, raising alarm among press freedom groups about the risks facing journalists covering humanitarian crises.
Separate Civilian Deaths Amid Escalating Clashes
In related incidents on the same day, two 13-year-old boys were killed in separate attacks. One was struck by drone fire near the Bureij refugee camp, and another was shot by ground forces while collecting firewood in Bani Suheila, health authorities reported.
The rising toll comes as the three-month-old ceasefire appears increasingly unstable, with both sides accusing the other of violations. Gaza’s health ministry says hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since the truce took effect, including many civilians, even as international efforts continue to sustain a broader peace process.
