Gaza's Hamas-run civil defence has reported that 11 people, all from the same family, have lost their lives after their bus was struck by an Israeli tank shell in the northern part of Gaza. The incident occurred in the Zeitoun neighborhood as the family attempted to return to their home to inspect its condition following previous bombings.

The Israeli military has acknowledged that its soldiers fired at what they deemed a 'suspicious vehicle' that trespassed an exclusion zone designated for military operations. This is now recognized as the deadliest single incident involving Israeli forces in Gaza since the onset of a ceasefire agreement eight days ago.

Hamas officials confirmed that the deceased include both women and children from the Abu Shaaban family, who were reportedly killed while trying to check on their home in the area. The civilian toll has heightened discussions on the rules of engagement and the dangers posed to non-combatants in conflict zones.

Mahmud Bassal, spokesperson for the civil defence, expressed outrage at the attack, stating that the family had been unjustly targeted. An investigation has been requested by various humanitarian organizations, given the ambiguity around the demarcated lines and the operational capabilities of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza.

Since the conflict's escalations, nearly 68,000 people have been reported killed in Gaza due to Israeli military operations as retaliation for a Hamas-led attack on October 7, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties and hostage situations.

As a consequence of the ongoing tensions, the body of an Israeli hostage was returned to Israel, while the IDF continues to emphasize the importance of safeguarding its troops while navigating the complex humanitarian landscape of a war-torn area.