Israeli Airstrike Kills Three-Year-Old Boy in Central Gaza Strip

An Israeli airstrike near a bakery in the central Gaza Strip killed two individuals, including a three-year-old boy named Tayyem Hamdan. Gaza health officials reported that several other people sustained injuries during the attack. The Israel Defense Forces identified the second fatality as Hassam Osama Hussein Nasir, claiming he operated as a militant advancing attacks against troops.

The strike occurred despite an ongoing U.S.-backed ceasefire established in October 2025, which aimed to halt major combat operations across the territory. The IDF stated that necessary precautions were taken to protect civilian lives while targeting an immediate threat. Meanwhile, human rights organizations note a severe surge in child casualties across the West Bank since October 2023.

Human rights groups such as B'Tselem and international bodies like UNICEF continue to document mounting casualties among Palestinian minors. Thousands of children have been killed or injured in the region since the escalation of hostilities. Observers warn that ongoing military actions threaten fragile stability despite formal cessation agreements.