Eight dead in Gaza strikes as Qatari gas carrier hit in Gulf

Eight people died in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza on Sunday, including a four-year-old boy in Gaza City. The strikes occurred against the backdrop of a ceasefire that has largely halted major fighting since October 2025, yet near-daily bombardments continue.

Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis received five bodies from a strike in that southern city. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City reported three deaths and one serious injury from a strike in the northern area. The Israeli military stated it targeted several militants in Khan Younis and one Hamas fighter in the north.

Gaza’s Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, now places the total death toll for the war at more than 74,500. Since the truce began, over 1,570 Palestinians have been killed, according to the ministry. The department does not distinguish between civilians and militants, while Israel argues its strikes aim at militant targets and accuses Hamas of using civilians as shields.

In the Persian Gulf, Qatar’s liquefied natural gas shipping company, Nakilat, announced that one of its vessels was struck by unidentified objects. The carrier, Al Mayeda, sustained damage on Friday night. Nakilat reported that no crew members were injured and the vessel remained operational without environmental impact.

The statement did not identify who fired the objects. Iran has previously claimed responsibility for attacks on ships and warned that vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz without permission could face destruction. Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned the incident and said authorities are investigating who is responsible.

The ministry stated that such attacks risk regional security, stability, and marine life. The designation comes as tensions remain high in the waterway, which is a critical route for global energy supplies.

In Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels reported two airstrikes on the University of Hodeida on Sunday. The group blamed Saudi Arabia for hitting the medical school, though no immediate casualty figures were released. The port city of Hodeida has been a frequent target since fighting escalated between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces, reigniting the civil war.

The United Nations called for an investigation into the death of a staffer from its human rights office. Mohammad el Shami died in Houthi custody, becoming the second U.N. employee to die in their hands. U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said the Houthis held el Shami since June 2024 and failed to provide proof of life despite repeated requests. A World Food Program worker died in Houthi custody in February 2025.

Iran designated Britain’s Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organizations on Sunday, according to the state-run news agency IRNA. Iran also declared MI6 a hostile entity. The Foreign Ministry accused the U.K. of joining U.S.-Israeli military attacks on Iran by providing bases and logistical support.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Donald Blome spoke at the Manama Dialogue security forum in Bahrain. He said the U.S. has kept negotiation channels with Iran open and active. Blome added, “We just can’t allow Iran to take this region and the global economy hostage.”