An Israeli airstrike on a vehicle in western Gaza City killed a Palestinian man and his eight-year-old daughter on Sunday, according to health officials, in the latest reported fatal incident despite a US-backed ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The victims were identified as Youssef Akila and his daughter, Wafaa, by Mohamed Abu Selmia, head of Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest medical facility. Six other people were wounded in the strike, according to the hospital official and Reuters.
The attack occurred in western Gaza City, where the Israeli airstrike hit a vehicle carrying the victims. The victims were taken to Al Shifa Hospital, while the six wounded people were also transported to the facility, according to Palestinian health officials.
An Israeli military spokesperson said its forces had “targeted a Hamas militant” and that the military was still assessing the outcome of the attack. The military did not immediately provide further details about the alleged target or whether the people killed or wounded were connected to Hamas.
The incident comes despite a US-backed ceasefire that took effect in October 2025 and halted major fighting in Gaza. However, the ceasefire has not brought an end to Israeli military strikes in the territory.
Israel has said its military operations in Gaza are aimed at preventing attacks by Hamas and other armed groups. Hamas, meanwhile, has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and undermining efforts to implement a wider US-backed plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict.
The broader peace proposal promoted by US President Donald Trump includes provisions for Israeli withdrawals from Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas. Continued military activity has complicated efforts to maintain the ceasefire and advance negotiations towards a longer-term settlement.
Sunday’s deaths add to the toll recorded in Gaza since the ceasefire began. According to Gaza health officials cited by Reuters, more than 1,300 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed since the October 2025 ceasefire took effect. The Israeli military says four Israeli soldiers have also been killed during the same period.
Hamas generally does not provide a separate breakdown of its fighters among those killed, making it difficult to independently establish the proportion of combatants and civilians among Palestinian casualties.
The latest strike is likely to add to concerns about the durability of the ceasefire as mediators attempt to move the parties towards a more permanent end to the conflict. Continued violence also highlights the difficulty of implementing the wider peace framework while Israeli forces continue operations in Gaza.
For Palestinians, the deaths of civilians, including children, remain a major concern as the territory continues to deal with the consequences of the prolonged conflict. For Israel, the continued presence and activities of Hamas remain a central security concern.
The latest incident therefore underscores the fragile nature of the ceasefire. While large-scale fighting has been reduced, deadly strikes and military operations continue to threaten civilians and complicate diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting political settlement for Gaza.
