Eight killed in Gaza strikes as Qatari ship hit in Gulf
A four-year-old boy died in Khan Younis and Gaza City, while Nakilat reported damage to its carrier Al Mayeda after being struck by unidentified objects.
By Arjun Weber ·
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed eight people on Sunday.
The strikes hit two separate locations in the territory. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported five deaths from a strike in the southern city. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City reported three deaths from a separate strike, including a four-year-old boy. A woman was also seriously wounded in the Gaza City attack.
The Israeli military stated that it targeted several militants in Khan Younis and one Hamas militant in northern Gaza. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting 251. A ceasefire that took effect in October 2025 has paused major fighting, but strikes have continued. Gaza’s Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, says 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 distinguish between civilians and militants in its counts. Israel maintains that its strikes aim at militant targets and accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields.
In the Persian Gulf, Qatar’s liquefied natural gas shipping company Nakilat said one of its vessels was struck. The carrier, named Al Mayeda, took damage from unidentified objects on Friday night. Nakilat stated that no crew members were injured and the vessel remained operational. The company said there was no environmental impact. It did not identify who fired the objects. Iran has previously claimed responsibility for attacks on ships and warned that vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz without its permission could face destruction.
Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned the attack. It said authorities were investigating the incident and the identity of those responsible. The ministry noted that such attacks risk regional security, stability, the environment, and marine life.
Houthi rebels in Yemen reported two airstrikes on the University of Hodeida on Sunday. The group blamed Saudi Arabia for hitting the university’s medical school. There was no immediate word on casualties. The port city of Hodeida has faced repeated attacks since fighting escalated between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces, reigniting Yemen’s civil war.
The United Nations called for an investigation into the death of a staffer held by the Houthis. Mohammad el Shami, a human rights office employee, died in custody. He had been held since June 2024. U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said the Houthis never provided information on his well-being or proof of life despite repeated requests. A World Food Program worker died in Houthi custody in February 2025.
Iran designated Britain’s Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organizations on Sunday. It also declared MI6 a hostile entity. The Iranian Foreign Ministry accused the United Kingdom of participating in U.S.-Israeli military attacks on Iran by providing bases and logistical support. U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs Donald Blome said the U.S. has extended a hand in negotiations to Iran but remains prepared to take other actions. Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Blome said, “We just can’t allow Iran to take this region and the global economy hostage.”
