Gaza strikes kill eight as Qatari gas ship hit in Gulf

Israeli airstrikes killed eight people in Gaza on Sunday, including a four-year-old boy, as a Qatari gas carrier reported taking damage in the Persian Gulf. The strikes in the Gaza Strip occurred the same day that Qatar's state shipping company disclosed an incident involving one of its vessels.

In southern Gaza, a strike on the city of Khan Younis killed five people, according to Nasser Hospital. In northern Gaza City, another strike killed three people, including the young boy, and seriously wounded a woman, Shifa Hospital reported. The Israeli military said it targeted several militants in Khan Younis and one Hamas fighter in the north.

The conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. A ceasefire took effect in October 2025, halting major combat, but smaller strikes continue. Gaza's Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government, says more than 1,570 Palestinians have died since the truce began. The total death toll for the war is now more than 74,500.

In Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels reported two airstrikes on the University of Hodeida on Sunday. The group blamed Saudi Arabia for the attacks, which targeted the medical school. The strategic port city of Hodeida has seen repeated attacks since fighting escalated between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces. There was no immediate report on casualties from the university strikes.

Qatar's liquefied natural gas shipping company, Nakilat, stated that its vessel Al Mayeda was struck by unidentified objects Friday night while in the Persian Gulf. The company said the carrier sustained damage but no crew members were injured. The vessel remained operational, and there was no environmental impact. The statement did not identify who fired the objects, though Iran has previously warned that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz without permission could be attacked. Qatar's foreign ministry condemned the incident and said it was investigating the cause and responsibility.

The United Nations called for an investigation into the death of a staffer held by Houthi rebels. Mohammad el Shami, who worked for the U.N. human rights office, had been in custody since June 2024. U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said the Houthis did not provide proof of life or information on his well-being despite repeated requests. This makes him the second U.N. employee to die in Houthi custody since a World Food Program worker died in February 2025.

Iran designated Britain's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organizations on Sunday, according to state-run news agency IRNA. Iran also declared the MI6 intelligence service a hostile entity. The Iranian Foreign Ministry accused the United Kingdom of supporting U.S. and Israeli military attacks by providing bases and logistical support. The designation may expose individuals accused of working with MI6 to prosecution under Iranian law.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Donald Blome said on Sunday that the United States has kept negotiation channels with Iran open while preparing for other options. Blome spoke at the Manama Dialogue security forum in Bahrain. He said, “The hand of negotiation has been extended, and those channels have continued to be open and active. At the same time, we’ve been also prepared to go in another direction.”