Israel threatens attacks in Gaza over children’s kites

Gaza residents fled their homes and businesses as Israeli airstrikes and tank fire claimed at least four lives on Monday, including two children, hospital officials reported. The attacks came a week after a U.S. delegation urged Israel to reduce its assaults in the territory.

Following evacuation orders from Israel's military, a strike in the Bureij refugee camp killed a 4-year-old boy, his mother and sister were injured. No response was provided by Israel's military. Subsequent strikes targeted three additional buildings across Gaza. Those warned of impending strikes fled, some running with their children while others moved through the rubble in wheelchairs or canes.

Smoke rose over the ruined landscape. Israel's military claimed to have struck two Hamas weapons storage facilities inside mosques in Shati refugee camp and Deir al-Balah, alleging the facilities contained weapons and military equipment. However, they provided no evidence to support this claim.

A man was killed and five others injured in an Israeli strike in Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital. An Israeli tank hit an area east of Khan Younis, killing a 10-year-old girl, whose body was taken to the hospital. Israel has conducted strikes on six of seven days since a U.S. delegation met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an attempt to advance their ceasefire deal from last year. U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner asked Netanyahu to scale back Israel's attacks in Gaza following the meeting.