An Israeli airstrike slammed into a shelter camp for displaced people in southern Gaza on Wednesday, killing five people, including two children, and wounding dozens more. The attack in al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis, struck near a field hospital and set tents ablaze, igniting fresh outrage over civilian safety.

This latest bloodshed places enormous strain on a delicate, US-brokered ceasefire that took effect on October 10. For Kenyans, the persistent instability in the Middle East is more than a distant headline; it threatens to ripple through the economy, primarily by affecting global oil prices, which directly impacts the cost of fuel and goods at home.

Conflicting Claims Emerge

Gaza's civil defence agency confirmed the casualties, with spokesman Mahmud Bassal telling AFP that an Israeli missile was responsible for the deaths of the five citizens. Medical sources at the nearby Kuwaiti Field Hospital reported receiving the bodies of two children, aged eight and ten, and treating another 32 wounded people.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated its aircraft struck a "Hamas terrorist" in the area. The military noted the strike was a response to an earlier clash where militants emerged from a tunnel in eastern Rafah, wounding five Israeli soldiers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office accused Hamas of a "blatant violation" of the ceasefire agreement.

Ceasefire on a Knife's Edge

The October 10 truce has largely halted major fighting, but both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violations. Since the ceasefire began, Gaza's health ministry reports that 360 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire. The incident underscores the severe risks facing civilians, even in areas previously designated for safety.

• Fatalities: 5 dead, including two children aged 8 and 10.
• Injuries: At least 32 people wounded.
• Location: Al-Mawasi shelter camp, west of Khan Younis.
• Palestinian Account: A targeted strike on a camp for displaced persons.
• Israeli Account: A retaliatory strike on a "Hamas terrorist" after an attack on IDF troops.

As mediators work to salvage the truce, this attack serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of the conflict and the precarious path toward a lasting peace. The international community is watching closely, hoping the fragile calm does not shatter completely.