An Israeli airstrike targeting a vehicle in western Gaza City on Sunday resulted in the deaths of a man and his teenage daughter, according to health officials. Six others were wounded in the attack.
Mohamed Abu Selmia, director of Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest medical facility, confirmed the casualties, identifying the deceased as Youssef Akila and his daughter, Wafaa. The strike occurred in Gaza City.
An Israeli military spokesperson stated that the forces had targeted a Hamas militant and indicated that the military was reviewing the outcome of the operation. This statement suggests a potential discrepancy between the reported civilian casualties and the military's stated objective.
While a U.S.-brokered ceasefire implemented in October 2025 significantly reduced large-scale hostilities in the Gaza Strip, it has not entirely ceased Israeli military strikes. Israel asserts these actions are necessary to counter threats from Hamas and other militant groups operating in Gaza.
Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire terms and obstructing the implementation of a broader peace initiative proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which encompasses Israeli troop withdrawals and the disarmament of Hamas.
According to Gaza's health officials, over 1,300 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, have been killed in the territory since the ceasefire began last October. The Israeli military reports that four Israeli soldiers have lost their lives during the same period. Hamas typically does not release figures regarding casualties among its combatants.
