The woman who was killed in the attack was pregnant with twins, hospital officials said. Another victim, a 15-year-old neighbour, was taken to Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat.
“We were sleeping when we suddenly woke up to the sound of a missile strike. It was very powerful,” said neighbour Mahmoud al-Muhtaseb. “There was no warning before the attack.”
In a separate incident, another strike targeted a police vehicle near the Philadelphi Corridor at the entrance of the central town of Az-Zawayda, according to Gaza’s Interior Ministry.
The attack killed nine police officers, including Colonel Iyad Ab Yousef, a senior police official in central Gaza. Al-Aqsa Hospital confirmed receiving the bodies and said that 14 other people were injured.
The Interior Ministry strongly condemned the strike, saying the officers were carrying out their duties by monitoring markets and maintaining security during the holy month of Ramadan.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incidents.
These latest deaths come despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that aimed to stop more than two years of fighting in Gaza. Although the most intense battles have slowed down, Israeli strikes and shootings still occur almost daily.
According to Gaza health officials, more than 650 Palestinians have been killed since October 10, 2025.
Meanwhile, Israel has announced plans to partially reopen the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on March 18 after keeping it closed for two weeks. The closure has worsened the already severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Officials say the crossing will only allow limited passenger movement and no cargo shipments. Anyone entering or leaving will need Israeli security approval and coordination with Egyptian authorities.
Thousands of Palestinians are currently waiting for medical treatment outside Gaza. Among them are about 4,000 cancer patients and 4,500 children, with nearly 440 cases considered immediately life-threatening.
Health officials say the humanitarian situation in Gaza is rapidly worsening. Almost half of essential medicines are out of stock, and around two-thirds of medical supplies have run out.
Residents say daily life has become even harder as prices for basic goods have doubled or even tripled. Recently, a strong sandstorm also swept across Gaza, damaging temporary shelters where thousands of displaced families are living after more than two years of war.
