A three-year-old girl has tragically lost her life after being reportedly shot by Israeli forces in the southern Gaza Strip. Local sources identified the girl as Ahed Tareq al-Bayouk, who was playing near her family’s tent in Mawasi, Rafah, when the incident occurred.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated they were not aware of a strike but have pledged to conduct an additional review as more information becomes available. This incident adds to the growing list of civilian casualties reported in Gaza.
Since a ceasefire began in October, Amnesty International has reported at least 370 fatalities in Gaza, including around 140 children. Ahed al-Bayouk's death reportedly took place on the Palestinian side of the so-called Yellow Line, behind which Israeli troops were to withdraw under a US-led peace initiative.
The details of the incident emerge amid ongoing tensions, as over 70,000 Palestinians have reportedly died due to Israeli military actions since the escalation of violence, with a stark number of them being children.
The World Health Organization has also issued an urgent plea for medical evacuations, citing that 16,500 Palestinians are in dire need of treatment outside of Gaza.
The current political discussions regarding a long-term resolution include potential phase two plans for governance and security in Gaza, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his opposition to a two-state solution, arguing concerns over Israel’s security.
Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, indicated that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to push forward peace negotiations, while international media presence remains severely restricted within Gaza.
