Gaza strikes kill 8 as Qatari ship hit

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed eight people on Sunday, including a four-year-old boy.

Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis confirmed that five bodies were taken to its facility following a strike in the southern city. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City reported three deaths and a serious injury to a woman after an attack in the north. The Israeli military stated it targeted several militants in Khan Younis and one Hamas fighter in northern Gaza.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. A ceasefire took effect in October 2025, halting major combat operations. However, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that more than 1,570 Palestinians have died since the truce began, raising the total war death toll to over 74,500. The ministry does not separate civilians from militants in its counts, while Israel asserts its strikes aim at military targets and accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields.

In Yemen, Houthi rebels reported two airstrikes on the University of Hodeida on Sunday. The group blamed Saudi Arabia for the attacks on the medical school, though no casualty figures were immediately available. The port city of Hodeida has faced repeated strikes as fighting intensifies between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces. Separately, the United Nations called for an investigation into the death of a human rights staffer held by the Houthis since June 2024. U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric noted that the group provided no proof of life for Mohammad el Shami despite repeated requests. A World Food Program employee also died in Houthi custody in February 2025.

Qatari shipping company Nakilat announced that its vessel, the Al Mayeda, was struck by unidentified objects in the Persian Gulf on Friday night. The company said no crew members were injured and no environmental damage occurred, with the vessel remaining operational. Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned the incident and is investigating the responsible party, warning that such attacks threaten regional stability and marine life. Iran has previously claimed responsibility for similar ship attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran designated the British Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organizations on Sunday. State-run media reported that Iran also labeled the MI6 intelligence service a hostile entity. The Foreign Ministry accused the United Kingdom of supporting U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran by providing bases and logistical aid. This move could expose individuals linked to MI6 to prosecution under Iranian law.

Donald Blome, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, spoke at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on Sunday. He stated that the U.S. has extended a hand for negotiations with Iran while remaining prepared for other options. Blome said, “The hand of negotiation has been extended, and those channels have continued to be open and active. At the same time, we’ve been also prepared to go in another direction.” He added that the U.S. cannot allow Iran to hold the region and global economy hostage.