Gaza strike kills boy

Five people died in an Israeli strike on the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Sunday, according to Nasser Hospital. Three more people died in a separate strike in Gaza City, including a four-year-old boy. Shifa Hospital reported that a woman was seriously wounded in the Gaza City attack. The Israeli military said it targeted several militants in Khan Younis and one Hamas fighter in northern Gaza.

The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and took 251 hostages. A ceasefire took effect in October 2025, but near-daily strikes have continued. Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 1,570 Palestinians have died since the truce began. The overall death toll from the war now exceeds 74,500. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants. Israel states its strikes target militant positions and accuses Hamas of using civilians as shields.

In Yemen, Houthi rebels reported two airstrikes on the University of Hodeida on Sunday. The group blamed Saudi Arabia for the attacks on the university’s medical school. Al-Masirah TV, operated by the Houthis, broadcast the report. No immediate casualty figures were available. Hodeida has faced repeated attacks since fighting escalated between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces, reigniting the civil war.

Qatar’s national gas shipping company, Nakilat, said its carrier Al Mayeda was struck by unidentified objects in the Persian Gulf on Friday night. The company stated that no crew members were injured and the vessel remained operational. It reported no environmental impact. Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned the attack and said authorities are investigating the cause and responsibility. The ministry noted that such attacks risk regional stability and marine life. Iran has previously claimed attacks on ships and warned that vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz without permission could face destruction.

The United Nations is calling for an investigation into the death of a human rights staffer held by Houthi rebels. Mohammad el Shami had been in custody since June 2024. U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said late Saturday that the Houthis provided no information on his well-being or proof of life despite repeated requests. He is the second U.N. employee to die in Houthi custody. A World Food Program worker died in February 2025.

Iran designated the British Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organizations on Sunday. State-run news agency IRNA reported that Iran also declared the MI6 intelligence service a hostile entity. The Iranian Foreign Ministry accused the United Kingdom of supporting U.S. and Israeli military attacks by providing bases and logistical support. The designation could allow Iran to prosecute individuals accused of working with MI6 under domestic law.

U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs Donald Blome spoke at the Manama Dialogue security forum in Bahrain on Sunday. He said the U.S. has extended a hand in negotiations to Iran but is prepared to take other actions. Blome stated, “The hand of negotiation has been extended, and those channels have been continued to be open and active. At the same time, we’ve been also prepared to go in another direction. We just can’t allow Iran to take this region and the global economy hostage.”

The next scheduled diplomatic engagement is the ongoing Manama Dialogue forum. The U.N. is coordinating its investigation into the death of Mohammad el Shami. Qatar’s authorities are continuing their inquiry into the damage to the Al Mayeda.