Israeli Airstrikes Kill Eight in Gaza Amid Calls for New Settlements
Israeli military operations in Gaza killed at least eight Palestinians on June 29 and 30, 2026, including an eight-year-old child in Deir al-Balah. Strikes targeted residential areas and displacement tents in al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, despite an existing ceasefire. Simultaneously, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich publicly urged the immediate construction of three new Israeli settlements in northern Gaza, prompting warnings from the UN and regional leaders that such moves would permanently undermine prospects for a Palestinian state.
Date: June 30, 2026
Location: Palestinian Territory
Conflict: Israel-Hamas War
Category: airstrike
Severity: HIGH
Casualties reported: 8
Source: Palestine Chronicle