Israeli Strike in Northern Gaza Kills Four, Including Two Children

An Israeli strike in the northern Gaza community of Beit Lahiya killed at least four people, among them two children, according to Shifa hospital, where the bodies were taken.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the strike early Thursday. In a separate statement, it said its forces had struck Hamas weapons storage facilities in three areas across Gaza on Wednesday.

Israel has previously said it conducts strikes in response to threats against its forces under the fragile ceasefire that has been in place since October.

Separately, Al-Masirah TV, a media outlet controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, claimed that Saudi-backed forces launched 40 airstrikes in recent hours in the provinces of Taiz, Jawf, Hodeida and Marib.

The claim could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate comment from the Saudi-backed forces. Fighting between the Houthis and Yemeni government forces has intensified this week.

Warnings have been growing about a major escalation as the Houthis clash with Yemeni government forces and attack oil facilities and utilities in neighbouring Saudi Arabia.