GAZA CITY, Palestine — Eleven members of a Palestinian family, including seven children, were killed after an Israeli tank shell hit their bus in northern Gaza on Friday night, Gaza’s Hamas-run civil defence agency confirmed.
The Abu Shaaban family had been trying to reach their home in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City to inspect it when their vehicle was struck, civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said. The blast was the deadliest single violation of the fragile ceasefire since it took effect eight days ago.
‘They Were Trying to Check on Their Home’
Basal told AFP that the victims were “trying to check on their home” when the shell hit. The civil defence said the dead included women and children, calling the attack “a massacre.”
“They could have been warned or dealt with differently,” Basal added. “What happened confirms that the occupation is still thirsty for blood and continues to commit crimes against innocent civilians.”
Rescue teams said they have recovered nine bodies so far, in coordination with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The remains of two children are still missing, reportedly “scattered due to the intensity of the bombardment.”
IDF Says Vehicle Posed an ‘Imminent Threat’
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement that troops fired on a “suspicious vehicle” crossing the yellow line — a demarcation separating areas still occupied by Israeli forces in Gaza.
According to the IDF, warning shots were fired before the tank shell was launched. The vehicle “continued to approach troops in a way that caused an imminent threat,” the statement said, adding that the response was “in accordance with the agreement.”
Hamas, however, rejected Israel’s claim and said the family was “targeted without justification,” calling the incident “a deliberate act that violates the ceasefire.”
Confusion Over Gaza’s ‘Yellow Line’
The yellow line, part of the U.S.-brokered truce, defines where Israeli troops are supposed to remain during the first phase of withdrawal. However, the boundary is not physically marked.
With Gaza’s limited internet access, many civilians remain unaware of the line’s position — often crossing unknowingly into restricted areas.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz announced Friday that the army plans to install visible signs to mark the line and “prevent future misunderstandings.”
Ceasefire Under Strain
Despite the truce, Israeli forces reportedly remain in control of about 53% of Gaza, according to Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary. Since the agreement began, at least 38 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, the Gaza Media Office said.
Meanwhile, Israel continues to seal the Rafah crossing with Egypt, blocking critical aid supplies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the crossing would remain closed “until Hamas fulfills its part in returning deceased hostages.”
The World Food Programme warned that nearly half of Gaza’s population now receives less than six litres of clean water per day, far below emergency standards. The United Nations added that famine conditions are worsening as aid convoys face severe restrictions.
Hostage and Prisoner Exchanges Continue
As part of the ceasefire deal, Hamas released the body of Israeli hostage Eliyahu Margalit to the Red Cross, the tenth deceased hostage returned so far. The remains of 18 others are still in Gaza.
Israel also handed over the bodies of 15 Palestinians on Friday, bringing the total number of repatriated bodies to 135.
Under the same agreement, Israel freed 250 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and 1,718 detainees from Gaza, while Hamas returned all 20 living hostages to Israel.
A Ceasefire in Name Only
The truce, mediated by the United States, aimed to pause fighting and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. But with continued airstrikes, restricted aid access, and incidents like Friday’s attack, tensions are again reaching a breaking point.
For the Abu Shaaban family, the ceasefire offered hope of returning home. Instead, it ended in tragedy — a stark reminder of how fragile Gaza’s peace remains.
