The dead included a 15-year-old boy in a strike on a northern Gaza police station, while other attacks hit Gaza City and central Gaza, medics said.
Several others were wounded, including policemen, and there was no immediate Israeli comment. Israel says such strikes aim to disrupt Hamas and prevent attacks on its forces.
The violence has continued despite an October 2025 ceasefire. Local medics say at least 830 Palestinians have been killed since then, and more than 72,500 since the war began in 2023.
With a US-brokered peace plan in effect, why has Gaza's death toll risen by over 830 since 2025?
With top leaders facing ICC arrest warrants, can international law deliver justice and actually end the violence?
As Gaza's infrastructure lies 90% in ruins, what future is possible when rebuilding materials are actively restricted?
May 5, 2026 Strikes and Gaza’s Humanitarian Collapse: 4 Israeli Soldiers Killed, 70% Population Without Clean Water
Overview
On May 5, 2026, fragile negotiations collapsed, prompting Hamas to launch rockets that killed four Israeli soldiers near the Kerem Shalom crossing. In response, Israel closed the crossing, intensified airstrikes targeting Hamas infrastructure, and deployed six combat brigades to Rafah, destroying underground sites. Despite Hamas accepting a ceasefire proposal, Israel rejected it and proceeded with military operations. These actions worsened Gaza's humanitarian crisis, causing fuel shortages, water contamination, and soaring food prices, while attacks on aid workers forced many NGOs to suspend services. The escalating violence drew regional reactions, including retaliatory strikes by Iran-aligned groups, highlighting the conflict's deepening humanitarian and geopolitical impact.