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Gaza civil defence says Israeli strikes kill 13
Gaza's civil defence agency says Israeli strikes across the territory on Friday killed at least 13 people, including eight in Khan Yunis where a police vehicle was struck, with two police officers among the eight. In a separate strike in Gaza City, a police patrol was hit, killing two people who were police officers, and a 12-year-old was the 13th victim; hospitals confirmed 12 of the 13 victims. The Israeli military issued a brief justification for the strikes, while Hamas condemned the attacks amid ongoing violence despite the truce.
Why It Matters
The attacks illustrate ongoing civilian and officer casualties in Gaza despite the long-running truce, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire and the risk to rescue workers and police.
Timeline
6 Events
Reactions and broader context
April 24, 2026
Hamas condemned the 'barbaric Zionist attacks' and called on the international community to stop ongoing crimes against Palestinians. The article notes the October truce has largely halted the Gaza war since 2023, but violence persists. It also notes media restrictions and limited access in Gaza hinder independent verification by AFP.
IDF statement on targeting Hamas near troops
April 24, 2026
The Israeli military released a brief statement saying: 'Earlier today, IDF troops under the Southern Command identified armed Hamas terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip, who operated adjacent to the troops and posed a threat. In order to remove the threat, the terrorists were eliminated in an aerial strike.'
Hospitals confirm death toll and naming of victims
April 24, 2026
Al-Shifa and Nasser hospitals confirmed the death tolls, publishing the names of 12 of the 13 victims.
Friday strikes kill at least 13 people in Gaza
April 24, 2026
Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli strikes across the Palestinian territory on Friday killed at least 13 people, including eight in Khan Yunis when a police vehicle was hit in the Al-Mawasi area; two of the eight were police officers. In a separate attack, an Israeli aircraft struck a police patrol in Gaza City, killing two people and injuring two; the two killed were police officers. The 13th victim was a 12-year-old whose identity could not immediately be confirmed.
Hamas attack and start of Gaza war
October 7, 2023
The Gaza war began after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, as referenced by the article's context about the conflict's origin.
October truce begins and largely halts fighting
October 2023
The October truce has largely halted the Gaza war that began after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.