Israeli strike kills two Palestinians in central Gaza

An Israeli airstrike struck a civilian vehicle traveling through central Gaza on Saturday, killing two Palestinians, according to local health officials. The victims, identified as a married couple in their thirties, were inside a compact car when the explosion occurred near the al-Mawasi neighborhood, a densely populated area that has seen repeated clashes in recent weeks.

The Gaza health ministry reported the deaths and said the strike was part of a broader campaign of air operations targeting what Israel described as militant infrastructure in the enclave. Israeli military spokespeople confirmed that aircraft had conducted strikes in the vicinity but did not specify the target, stating that the operation aimed to degrade Hamas capabilities. The incident adds to the mounting civilian toll in the ongoing Israel‑Gaza conflict, which has prompted renewed calls from international observers for heightened protection of non‑combatants.