Israeli strike kills eight Palestinians at Gaza funeral

An Israeli airstrike killed at least eight Palestinians and wounded 20 attending a funeral in Nuseirat, central Gaza, on Friday. The strike targeted mourners at a funeral for a victim of an earlier Israeli attack in the same area. Gaza health officials reported the deaths, bringing the day's toll to at least 12 Palestinians killed in separate Israeli strikes.

Hamas denounced the Nuseirat strike as a "brutal massacre" and called on mediators and the United Nations to intervene and stop Israeli attacks in Gaza. The Israeli military acknowledged a Reuters request for comment but had not immediately responded.

Meanwhile, residents in an area east of Deir al-Balah reported that Israeli forces used drones to broadcast evacuation orders, forcing some families to flee. These latest casualties add to the more than 1,100 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, killed by Israeli attacks since an October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants took effect. Gaza health officials stated that Hamas typically does not disclose its losses.

The truce has not stopped near-daily Israeli strikes, which Israel maintains are aimed at militants. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza during the same period. Conflict monitor ACLED noted a rise in Israeli airstrikes against Hamas and other militants in June, reaching the highest monthly total since the ceasefire. These strikes have also hit civilians, including women and children.

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brutal massacre