Five reported killed in Israeli strike in Gaza

Five people have reportedly been killed in an air strike in Gaza that Israel said was targeting someone who took part in the 7 October attacks.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the target of the strike also worked at charity World Central Kitchen (WCK).

Unconfirmed reports suggested at least two others who were killed were also employed by the WCK.

The strike occurred in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Saturday, according to Palestinian state-run news agency Wafa.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the strike was on a “civilian unmarked vehicle” whose movement had “not been coordinated for transporting aid”.

Pictures circulating on social media showed a white saloon car by the side of a road, partially burned-out and with its roof caved in.

Video filmed inside a mortuary also showed a number of charred possessions – including a laptop, clothing, and and ID badge – bearing the WCK logo.

Wafa reported that the five people killed were all Palestinian and included the director of WCK’s kitchens in Gaza.

In a statement, the IDF said it had “struck a vehicle with a terrorist that took part in the murderous 7 October massacre”.

“The terrorist was monitored for a while by IDF intelligence and was struck following credible information regarding his real time location,” it said.

WCK has been approached for comment.

In April, seven WCK workers, including three British security staff, were killed in an Israeli strike on an aid convoy, prompting widespread condemnation and a temporary halt to the charity’s operations in Gaza.

The IDF later admitted “grave mistakes” had been made and sacked two senior officers.