Israeli strikes kill five in Gaza including nine-year-old girl; military says it hit 'terrorist infrastructure'

The Israeli military acknowledged striking the Sabra neighbourhood area in Gaza, saying it targeted “terrorist infrastructure”, without elaborating

Updated - July 12, 2026 09:41 pm IST — Deir al-Balah AP

Israeli fire in Gaza on Sunday (July 12, 2026) killed at least five Palestinians, including a 9-year-old girl, and wounded others, according to local health officials.

A drone strike on a blacksmith shop in Gaza City’s Sabra neighbourhood killed at least four Palestinians and wounded another, according to officials at Shifa hospital, where the casualties were taken.

The Israeli military acknowledged striking the area, saying it targeted “terrorist infrastructure”, without elaborating.

Palestinians received an evacuation order from the military following the first strikes. Roughly an hour later, intense airstrikes targeted the same blacksmith shop.

Also on Sunday (July 12, 2026), Israeli gunfire killed 9-year-old Tala Abu Matar in a displacement camp in central Gaza, according to officials at the Health Ministry. The Israeli military said it was unaware of such an incident.

Israeli strikes have lessened considerably since a ceasefire took effect on October 10, but they continue almost daily. Israel’s military says it targets Hamas and other militants, often asserting they were planning attacks. The strikes have also killed many civilians.

Casualties and context

• At least 1,098 Palestinians, including at least 260 children, have been killed since the ceasefire, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
• Five Israeli soldiers have been killed in that time.
• The October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas-led militants that sparked the war killed some 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 others taken hostage.
• Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed 73,221 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government and is staffed by medical professionals who maintain detailed records viewed as generally reliable by United Nations agencies and independent experts.
• The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants but says women and children make up around half of all deaths.

Ceasefire and negotiations

Negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain largely deadlocked over the implementation of the ceasefire’s second phase, including the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Most of the population of over 2 million people remains displaced, with many living in crowded tent camps with little or no basic services, or in the ruins of buildings.

Published — July 12, 2026 09:38 pm IST