Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City on Friday, coinciding with Nakba Day commemorations, killed at least seven Palestinians, including three women and a child, according to medical sources. The strikes targeted a residential building in the Rimal neighborhood and a civilian vehicle, injuring at least 45 others, several critically. Witnesses reported heavy damage to nearby structures, with rescue teams still extracting survivors from the rubble hours after the attacks.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a joint statement claiming the strikes targeted Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the head of Hamas’s armed wing in Gaza. They described Haddad as “one of the architects” of the October 7 attacks on Israel. The statement did not confirm whether Haddad was killed, and Hamas has not commented. Al Jazeera has not independently verified Israel’s claim.

Civilian casualties amid escalating tensions

Medical sources in Gaza reported that three of the fatalities occurred when a missile struck a civilian vehicle in central Gaza City. Four others died in an attack on a residential building in the Rimal neighborhood, a densely populated area. Among the dead were three women and a child, with local health officials warning the death toll could rise as more casualties are recovered. Anadolu Agency reported that at least 45 people were injured, with several in critical condition requiring urgent medical evacuation.

Nakba Day, observed annually on May 15, marks the 1948 displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the creation of Israel. The day is typically marked by protests and commemorations across the occupied territories and among Palestinian communities worldwide. This year’s observances in Gaza were overshadowed by the airstrikes, which local officials condemned as a deliberate escalation.

International reactions and ongoing conflict

The United Nations and several human rights organizations have repeatedly warned about the escalating violence in Gaza, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on civilians. The Israeli military has stated that it targets only Hamas operatives and infrastructure but admits collateral damage can occur in densely populated areas. Critics argue that recent operations, including those on Nakba Day, demonstrate a pattern of disproportionate force.

The latest strikes follow a period of relative calm after a six-month ceasefire agreement in Gaza. However, tensions remain high, with sporadic rocket fire from Gaza and Israeli military operations continuing. The cycle of violence has drawn international concern, with calls for renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent further civilian casualties. The lack of a verified confirmation on Haddad’s death leaves uncertainty over Israel’s intended target and the operation’s success.

As rescue operations continue, Palestinian officials are calling for an immediate international investigation into the airstrikes, citing possible war crimes. The Israeli military has not yet responded to these calls but has reiterated its commitment to targeting Hamas leadership. The broader implications for regional stability remain uncertain as both sides brace for potential retaliatory actions.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Al Jazeera
  • Published: May 15, 2026 at 21:05 UTC
  • Category: World
  • Topics: #aljazeera · #world-news · #middle-east · #war · #gaza · #seven

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 15, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

No último dia da Nakba, data que lembra a expulsão de palestinos em 1948, sete pessoas morreram em ataques israelenses na Faixa de Gaza, entre elas três mulheres e uma criança, enquanto dezenas ficaram feridas. Segundo Israel, os bombardeios tinham como alvo um membro do Hamas, grupo que controla o território, mas o saldo humanitário expôs mais uma vez a escalada de violência em um dos conflitos mais longos do Oriente Médio.

O ocorrido reacendeu debates sobre a situação humanitária em Gaza, já devastada por anos de bloqueio israelense e enfrentamentos recorrentes, e coloca em xeque a segurança de civis em meio a comemorações políticas sensíveis. Para o Brasil, que mantém relações diplomáticas com ambos os lados — ainda que com maior aproximação dos países árabes —, o episódio reforça a urgência de uma mediação internacional para conter a crise, especialmente diante do crescente apoio brasileiro a causas palestinas nas Nações Unidas. A repercussão também atinge a comunidade árabe-brasileira, que há décadas acompanha de perto o drama em Gaza.

A comunidade internacional já cobra explicações de Israel, enquanto o Hamas promete “resistência”, deixando o cenário ainda mais tenso e incerto nas próximas semanas.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

El Día de la Nakba se tiñó de sangre este año cuando siete palestinos, entre ellos tres mujeres y un menor, perdieron la vida bajo los bombardeos israelíes en Gaza City, mientras las autoridades de Israel justificaban los ataques como operaciones dirigidas contra miembros de Hamás.

La violencia estalló durante las conmemoraciones del Nakba —la “catástrofe” que supuso la creación de Israel en 1948 para los palestinos—, un momento de profunda carga simbólica que agravó aún más una ya tensa escalada de tensiones. El ataque, que deja decenas de heridos y reaviva el debate sobre la proporcionalidad de la respuesta israelí, subraya la urgencia de una solución humanitaria en la región, donde la población civil sigue siendo la principal víctima de un conflicto enquistado que trasciende generaciones y fronteras.