Israeli airstrikes kill child, injure others in western Gaza City

A Palestinian child was killed and others were wounded on Tuesday in Israeli airstrikes targeting the Al-Katiba area southwest of Gaza City, according to a Safa news agency correspondent.

The correspondent reported that the Israeli bombardment coincided with the sound of gunfire and successive explosions in the area, amid fierce clashes described by eyewitnesses, who also noted the presence of Israeli special forces on the ground.

He added that Israeli quadcopter drones dropped bombs around Al-Katiba, while the drones flew at low altitude as smoke and stun grenades were also deployed.

Earlier in the day, Israeli forces carried out artillery shelling and gunfire in several areas across the Gaza Strip. The correspondent said three people were injured, including a girl in critical condition, by Israeli army fire east of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

Escalation of military operations in Gaza

The correspondent added that Israeli forces opened fire east of Khan Younis in the south of the Strip, while Israeli military units advanced southeast of Deir al-Balah, firing smoke and explosive grenades near Al-Batoun Street, alongside engineering operations in the Abu al-Ajeen and Wadi al-Salqa areas.

Israeli artillery also targeted eastern areas of Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, while Israeli vehicles fired heavily east of Gaza City, and naval vessels opened fire off the northern coast of the city.

The correspondent noted that Israeli forces fired heavy machine guns towards eastern Jabalia in northern Gaza, while areas east of Khan Younis and west of Rafah were subjected to intense Israeli artillery shelling.

Arrest of Palestinian fishermen

Meanwhile, Palestinian fishermen's committees reported that the Israeli navy detained 10 fishermen off the coast of Gaza City.