Israeli Strike In Gaza Kills Four Including Two Children In Beit Lahiya

An Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza killed at least four people, including two children, on Thursday as violence also intensified in Yemen, where Iran backed Houthi rebels and Saudi backed government forces are moving closer to a wider confrontation. The developments come amid the broader Middle East conflict, with the war between the US and Iran also threatening key oil and shipping routes.

The strike hit a home in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, killing a man, his wife and their two daughters, aged 8 and 12, according to Palestinian health officials. The bodies were taken to Shifa Hospital. Reuters reported that the strike was part of a wider pattern of Israeli bombardments over the past two days, with several homes targeted across Gaza.

There was no immediate Israeli military comment on the deaths. Israel said its forces had struck Hamas weapons storage facilities in three areas of Gaza on Wednesday. The Israeli military has previously said its operations are aimed at responding to threats against its forces under the fragile ceasefire that began in October 2025.

In Yemen, the conflict between the Iran backed Houthis and Saudi backed government forces has sharply escalated this week. Houthi controlled Al Masirah TV claimed that Saudi backed forces carried out about 40 airstrikes in Taiz, Al Jawf, Hodeida and Marib provinces. The Associated Press could not independently verify the claim, and there was no immediate response from the Saudi backed forces.

Other reports indicated that the number of strikes claimed by the Houthis was even higher. The group said its military had reported dozens of Saudi airstrikes across several provinces, while Saudi led forces have not publicly confirmed the figures.

The escalation follows a major wave of Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The attacks targeted southern Saudi cities and energy and economic infrastructure, injuring at least 73 people and triggering fires at oil facilities, according to the AP.