Six Palestinians including two girls were killed in separate Israeli strikes near crowded camps for displaced people in Gaza City on Sunday, according to Palestinian Health officials.
In the western side of the Nuseirat refugee camp, a woman and two other girls were killed in Israeli artillery attacks on Sunday night.
The attacks coincided with another Israeli air strike in Gaza that hit a vehicle and killed three Palestinians including a paramedic.
Local witnesses described the chaotic scenes which unfolded when the strikes occurred.
"It was a moment of intense panic for people. Shells were falling on the tents and everyone was running in all directions. Men, women and children felt they had lost any sense of safety. We couldn't even find vehicles to take the wounded to hospitals," said Omar Abu Sweith, a displaced Palestinian.
The strikes came amid an escalating conflict across the Middle East which began after the United States and Israel launched joint airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28, sparking a wave of retaliatory attacks and an exchange of missiles which has impacted several countries across the region.
Many Gazans say they had thought the situation had calmed down in recent times, but are dismayed by the latest round of Israeli attacks.
After suffering shortages of essential foods including meat, eggs and fruits, many Palestinians are concerned that the attacks on Sunday could signal a new wave of Israeli air strikes and restrictions against the Gaza Strip.
"For the first time, I feel this fear. We thought the war had calmed down, but unfortunately it feels like the war has been going on and the situation is becoming even harder," said Ikram Al-Ustaz, said another displaced Palestinian.
"The second missile fell while I call them, and I couldn't see anything. Then a third missile struck. I risked my life and went in to try to rescue them," said Hammad Shamali, a relative of the attack victims.
Israel has continued attacks in Gaza despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas taking effect in the enclave on Oct. 10, 2025.
More than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed and 171,000 others injured since the war in Gaza broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, according to figures released by Gaza's health authorities on Sunday.
Palestinians dismayed after six killed in separate Israeli strikes on Gaza
