By Middle East Correspondent
London, (The Muslim News): Israeli attacks killed six Palestinians, including two children and a married couple, and injured eleven others across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, as Israeli forces continued military operations despite a ceasefire. Meanwhile, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released an election campaign video mocking Palestinians who remain in the enclave.
Six Palestinians killed in Gaza despite ceasefire
Medical sources told Anadolu that Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes and gunfire near al-Sawarha cemetery, west of the Nuseirat refugee camp; in the Zeitoun neighbourhood, southeast of Gaza City; and in the Wadi Gaza area. One Palestinian was seriously injured in a drone strike on the al-Qasasib area of Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.
The bodies of a married couple were taken to Al-Shifa Hospital following an Israeli airstrike on their home in western Gaza City, a medical source told Anadolu. Four other Palestinians, including three women, were injured. Witnesses said an Israeli helicopter fired at least one missile at the family home near the hospital, killing the couple and setting the house on fire. Civil defence crews later extinguished the blaze.
In southern Gaza, a Palestinian child was killed by Israeli gunfire in the Qizan Abu Rashwan area, south of Khan Younis. Five other Palestinians, including a woman and two children, were injured by Israeli army fire in Hamad City, north of Khan Younis, and areas south of the city.
Israeli forces also shelled Gaza City’s Tuffah neighbourhood and fired towards homes and tents sheltering displaced people. Witnesses reported overnight shelling, explosions and demolitions of homes and civilian structures in areas under Israeli control. Israeli warships fired towards the city’s northern coast, while military vehicles opened heavy fire towards the Sudaniya area in northwestern Gaza.
Witnesses also reported tank fire towards homes and displacement tents in several areas of Khan Younis and extensive demolitions east of the city.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said Israeli ceasefire violations had killed 1,522 Palestinians and injured 5,421 since October 10, 2025. Since October 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians and injured over 175,000, according to figures cited in the reports. Around 90 per cent of the enclave’s civilian infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed.
Ben-Gvir mocks Palestinians in election campaign video
Ben-Gvir, minister of national security, and leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, released an AI-generated video on the US social media platform X depicting Gaza in 2030 as a devastated landscape, with its schools, infrastructure and port in ruins.
A scene showing a donkey is followed by the party’s message: “You’d have to be a donkey to stay in Gaza.”
Ben-Gvir has repeatedly called for Israel to occupy Gaza, displace its Palestinian population and establish Israeli settlements in the territory.
The video was released ahead of Israel’s parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 27. Arab parties accused Ben-Gvir on Sunday of exploiting measures and violations against Palestinians to mobilise support and intimidate Arab voters.
A Channel 12 poll published on Monday projected 55 seats for opposition parties and 51 for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, leaving both blocs short of the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-member Knesset.
Israeli forces demolish Palestinian home near Bethlehem
Israeli forces demolished an inhabited Palestinian home in the village of al-Walaja, northwest of Bethlehem, on Tuesday, according to local activist Ibrahim Awadallah.
Awadallah told the Palestinian news agency WAFA that forces demolished a two-storey house in the Ein Al-Juwaiza neighbourhood belonging to Arafat Salim Abu Rizq. Each floor measured 120 square metres.
The demolition was carried out on the grounds that the property lacked an Israeli-issued building permit. Awadallah said Israeli forces prevented the family from removing their belongings.
Israeli forces have intensified home demolitions in al-Walaja, particularly in Ein Al-Juwaiza, where several houses have reportedly received demolition notices.
Iran demands end to US sanctions before negotiations
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the US must end its pressure and threats and lift sanctions before any negotiations can take place.
“All regional problems, from escalating tensions to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, stem from US warmongering,” Pezeshkian said during a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, according to remarks carried by Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.
“The Americans must explain why they started the war and embroiled themselves and the world in it,” he said.
On the prospect of negotiations, Pezeshkian added: “Before any negotiations, they must first end the pressure and threats and lift sanctions.”
Munir arrived in Tehran with a delegation of officials. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the visit was primarily focused on strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad.
Responding to speculation that Munir’s visit could involve delivering a political message or military threat, Baqaei said some exchanges between Iran and Pakistan involved negotiations, but most focused on bilateral ties. He stressed the importance of relations between the neighbouring countries and efforts to expand cooperation.
The visit comes amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran and stalled diplomatic efforts to resolve their differences. Pakistan has played a mediating role in efforts to reduce tensions during the war launched by the US and Israel on February 28.
Iran reports tanker explosion near Strait of Hormuz
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said a supertanker carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil exploded and caught fire after striking a naval mine south of the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement carried by IRIB on Tuesday, the navy claimed the vessel had violated restrictions and switched off its radar and navigation systems. It said the tanker ignored warnings and attempted to leave the strait through what it described as an “unauthorized southern route” before hitting the mine.
The navy did not identify the vessel or provide details about its flag, crew, possible casualties or the extent of the damage. The claims were not independently verified in the information provided.
“Vessel owners and crews in the Gulf and the Sea of Oman are responsible for transiting unauthorized routes,” the statement said.
“Any movement that disregards the security of this strait will be dealt with decisively,” it added.
[Photo: Israeli forces declare Turmus Ayya town a closed military zone, restricting the movement of Palestinian farmers heading to their land to harvest olives and Israeli settlers in Ramallah, West Bank, Palestine on October 21, 2026. Photojournalist: Issam Rimawi/AA]
