An Israeli drone strike killed at least eight people and wounded more than 20 when it targeted mourners gathered outside Ahmad Yassin Mosque in the Al-Balata market area of Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on Friday, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency and Al-Awda Hospital.
Witnesses said the drone targeted Palestinian mourners who were preparing to begin a funeral procession for a Palestinian killed in a separate Israeli attack earlier the same day in the same area.
The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strike and said it targeted a “terrorist” cell in central Gaza. The army added that it was “aware of the claims that several uninvolved individuals were harmed as a result of the strike” and said results were under review.
Hamas condemned the strike, saying in a statement that it “takes place while the aggressor regime, through its systematic and continuous violation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, continues to kill and terrorise innocent citizens.”
The incident on Friday was one of several Israeli attacks in Gaza that day. A 52-year-old woman was killed in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza when an Israeli drone struck near Abu Tammam School, the Palestinian Wafa news agency reported. An attack in the town of Az-Zawayda killed another person and injured several others. A structure housing displaced people in al-Sawarha, west of the Nuseirat refugee camp, was struck, killing one person. An Israeli drone also struck an apartment in Gaza City, killing a Palestinian and wounding several others including children.
Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in October, though Israeli attacks have continued on a near-daily basis since then. The Gaza Health Ministry says more than 1,123 people have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect. Five Israeli soldiers have been killed during the same period, according to Israeli statements cited in reporting.
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