Full Breakdown
Israeli Drone Strikes Kill Health Ministry Official’s Son and Others in Gaza
By Drooid · · How we work
Recent Drone Strikes Across Gaza
Israeli drones hit civilian targets in two locations on Saturday. In the Sheikh Radwan market area of Gaza City, a drone missile struck a civilian vehicle, igniting a fire that burned for about half an hour before rescue crews could intervene. The vehicle was later described as “charred completely,” and one occupant was found beyond recognition at al-Shifa Medical Complex. In the az-Zahra neighbourhood west of the Jabalia refugee camp, a drone strike killed Basir al-Bursh, the eldest son of Munir al-Bursh, director general of Gaza’s Health Ministry, and seriously wounded another person. The strike occurred while students attended alternative learning spaces set up behind a field hospital. Additional casualties were reported in the Shujayea neighbourhood east of Gaza City and north of the Nuseirat refugee camp, where a Palestinian girl later died from gunfire injuries.
Background of Ongoing Conflict
The attacks followed a United States-brokered cease-fire announced in October 2025, which has not halted Israeli operations. The war that began in October 2023 has displaced most of the population, with families now confined to roughly one-third of the enclave, sheltering among destroyed buildings, rubble and uncleared waste. Humanitarian agencies continue to warn that civilians remain at extreme risk despite the cease-fire.
Official Statements & Responses
The Gaza Health Ministry expressed “deepest condolences” to Dr Munir Abdullah al-Bursh over the “martyrdom” of his son. A source from ambulance and emergency services confirmed the Shujayea strike, but no Israeli official has commented on either incident. Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud noted that Israeli authorities typically provide a justification when families of officials are targeted, yet none has been issued in this case.
Data & Statistics
Since the cease-fire, health officials say at least 1,390 Palestinians have been killed. Israeli figures cite more than 73,910 Palestinian deaths and 174,914 injuries since the war’s start in October 2023. UNICEF reports an average of one child death per day in Gaza.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The vehicle was targeted by at least one drone missile. The fire just engulfed the vehicle for at least half an hour until the ambulance, the paramedics, or the civil defence crew had to be called up,” — Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud — Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud