**Israeli Strikes Kill Palestinians Attending Gaza Funeral for Earlier Strike Victim**
An Israeli airstrike on Friday resulted in the deaths of at least eight Palestinians and left 20 others wounded during a funeral in Nuseirat, located in the central Gaza Strip. The funeral was for a victim of an earlier Israeli strike that had occurred earlier the same day, according to health officials in Gaza.
The fatalities from the Nuseirat airstrike, combined with at least three additional deaths from separate Israeli airstrikes elsewhere in the Gaza Strip, brought the total number of Palestinian casualties for the day to at least 12, as reported by medical personnel.
Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, condemned the attack in Nuseirat, labeling it a “brutal massacre” against mourners. The group called on international mediators and the United Nations to intervene and halt the ongoing Israeli assaults in the region.
In response to inquiries regarding the Nuseirat strike, the Israeli military stated that the target was a cell associated with the Islamic Jihad militant group, which operates in parts of the Gaza Strip alongside Hamas. The military acknowledged the claims that several uninvolved individuals were harmed as a result of the strike.
The situation in Gaza remains tense, with reports indicating that Israeli forces have been conducting operations in the region despite a ceasefire that was established between Israel and Hamas. Residents in areas east of Deir al-Balah reported that Israeli forces used drones to broadcast audio messages instructing them to evacuate their homes, prompting some families to flee in search of safety.
The recent fatalities add to a grim toll of over 1,100 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, who have been killed in Israeli attacks since a ceasefire was put into effect in October. While the truce has halted major hostilities, Israeli strikes have continued almost daily, with the military asserting that its operations are aimed at militant targets. During the same period, four Israeli soldiers have reportedly been killed by militants in Gaza.
According to ACLED, a U.S.-based research organization that monitors political violence, Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas and other militant groups surged to over 40 in June, marking the highest monthly total since the ceasefire was established. The organization also noted that strikes have resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, particularly near the border dividing the two sides.
The ongoing conflict escalated significantly following an attack by Hamas-led fighters on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of around 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources. In the aftermath, Israel has launched a substantial military offensive, which has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 73,000 Palestinians, as per Gaza health officials.
Currently, nearly all of Gaza's population of 2 million people is concentrated in a narrow coastal strip, where many are living in makeshift tents or damaged buildings, under the control of Hamas. The humanitarian situation in the region continues to deteriorate, with many residents facing dire conditions amid ongoing violence.