Israeli Military Actions Result in 16 Palestinian Deaths Across Gaza and West Bank

On March 15, health officials reported that Israeli military actions led to the deaths of 16 Palestinians in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, marking one of the highest daily death tolls in recent weeks amidst ongoing hostilities involving Israel, Lebanon, and Iran.

An airstrike in Gaza targeted a vehicle carrying a senior police official and eight officers near Zawayda town, resulting in their deaths. The Gaza health ministry indicated that at least 14 others, primarily bystanders, sustained injuries from the strike.

Earlier that day, three individuals—a man, his pregnant wife, and their son—were killed in another airstrike in Nuseirat, located in central Gaza.

No immediate response from Israeli officials regarding these incidents was available.

In the West Bank, a family of four—a father, mother, and two children—was killed while driving. Palestinian health authorities confirmed the incident, while the Israeli military stated it was under investigation.

Since a ceasefire was established in October following two years of conflict initiated by Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, violence has persisted. Although Israeli strikes decreased temporarily after U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran began on February 28, reports indicate a resurgence in attacks. Gaza health officials noted that at least 36 Palestinians have died since the onset of the conflict with Iran.

The health ministry in Gaza reported that over 670 individuals have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire took effect. In contrast, Israel reported four soldiers lost to militant actions during the same timeframe.

In Tammun village, Palestinian health authorities identified Ali Khaled Bani Odeh, 37, his wife Waad, 35, and their two sons aged five and seven as victims of gunfire to the head. Two other children were injured in the incident.

The Israeli military claimed that their forces were conducting operations to apprehend individuals suspected of “terrorist” activities when a vehicle approached them aggressively. They stated that this prompted a lethal response, resulting in the deaths of four Palestinians inside the vehicle.

The military is currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Khaled, a 12-year-old survivor from the vehicle, recounted hearing his mother’s cries and his father’s prayers before gunfire erupted. “We came under direct fire; we didn’t know where it was coming from. Everyone in the car was martyred except my brother Mustafa and me,” he said.

He further described being pulled from the vehicle by soldiers who allegedly assaulted him while shouting derogatory remarks.

Additionally, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported that one Palestinian was killed overnight due to an attack by Israeli settlers.

Rights groups and medics have raised concerns that Israeli settlers are exploiting movement restrictions imposed during the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran to launch attacks on Palestinians. Military roadblocks have hindered ambulances from reaching victims promptly, exacerbating the situation. Since February 28, at least five Palestinians have reportedly been killed by settlers in the West Bank.