An Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza has killed a group of charity workers and journalists, the UK-based Al Khair Foundation told the BBC.
According to the foundation, eight people, including its volunteers and independent journalists covering their activities, were killed on Saturday when their vehicles were struck.
Hamas condemned the attack, calling it a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement with Israel.
The Israeli military claimed it had targeted two individuals operating a drone that posed a threat to its forces.
It later attacked others who arrived at the scene, referring to them as “additional terrorists.”
However, Al Khair Foundation denied these allegations, insisting its team was there to set up tents and document relief efforts.
The charity’s founder, Qasim Rashid Ahmad, told the BBC that the journalists had returned to their vehicle when the strike occurred.
He added that more team members who rushed to help were then hit by an Israeli drone that followed them to a second vehicle.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that it had targeted people using a drone in Beit Lahia, later striking individuals who collected the equipment and entered a vehicle.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate identified four journalists killed in the attack: Bilal Abu Matar, Mahmoud Al-Sarraj, Bilal Aqila, and Mahmoud Asleem.
The organization accused Israel of deliberately targeting Palestinian journalists who risk their lives to report on the conflict.
Several other individuals were wounded and taken to the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem described the incident as a “horrific massacre.”
The attack comes amid uncertainty over the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which was established in January after 15 months of conflict.
The ceasefire initially facilitated the exchange of hostages and prisoners, but talks to extend the agreement beyond March 1 failed.
While the U.S. has proposed a new extension, Washington accused Hamas of making “entirely impractical” demands, including immediate discussions on a permanent ceasefire.
The ongoing conflict began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken to Gaza.
In response, Israel launched a military offensive that has since killed more than 48,300 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry.