CAIRO, April 9 (Reuters) - Israeli forces shot and killed a young female student on Thursday while she was attending a class held in a tent in the town of Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip,
Israeli fire kills girl student in Gaza, medics say
Incident Details and Ongoing Conflict in Gaza
Shooting of Student in Beit Lahiya
CAIRO, April 9 (Reuters) - Israeli forces shot and killed a young female student on Thursday while she was attending a class held in a tent in the town of Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, health and education officials said.
The education ministry said third-grade student Ritaj Rihan was hit by a bullet in front of her classmates, causing them "a strong psychological shock".
Additional Casualties from Airstrikes
Thursday's Death Toll
Later on Thursday, health officials said three other Palestinians were killed in two separate airstrikes in northern and southern Gaza Strip, bringing Thursday's death toll to at least four.
Details of Airstrikes
Medics said an Israeli airstrike near a hospital in Jabalia, in the north of the enclave, killed at least two people, while another strike killed one person in Khan Younis, in the south.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on any of the incidents.
Ceasefire and Living Conditions
Israeli Occupation and Displacement
Under a ceasefire in place since last October, Israel still occupies more than half of the Gaza Strip. Nearly all buildings in the Israeli-controlled sector have been levelled and residents driven out.
That leaves virtually the entire population of more than two million people confined to about a third of Gaza's territory, mostly in makeshift tents and damaged buildings, where life has resumed under the control of an administration led by Hamas.
Education Amid Crisis
Challenges for Displaced Children
Displaced Gaza children are attending classes given by volunteer teachers in crowded tents in some areas, keen to continue their education despite the widespread destruction of schools.
These makeshift classrooms face severe challenges, including harsh weather, resource shortages, and security risks.
Wider Impact of the Conflict
Casualties and Territorial Disputes
More than 700 Palestinians have been killed since the October deal took effect, while militants have killed three Israeli soldiers. Palestinians say Israeli forces have been moving some of the yellow concrete markers westward, encroaching into unoccupied territory. Israel denies this.
Overall Death Toll and Background
Israel's assault on Gaza has killed more than 71,000 people, according to the enclave's health ministry. The war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed some 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.
(Reporting by Nidal al-MughrabiEditing by Gareth Jones, William Maclean)
