GAZA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Four Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed by Israeli fire in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, amid calls for the United States to help end civilian suffering in the enclave and ensure sufficient humanitarian aid delivery.
Palestinian medical sources said a 13-year-old Palestinian boy was killed and two others were wounded in an Israeli airstrike in the Beit Lahia area of northern Gaza.
In a separate incident, medical sources rescue teams recovered the body of a man killed by Israeli forces stationed near the border fence in the town of Al-Qarara, northeast of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
Moreover, ambulance crews recovered the bodies of two Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in al-Mawasi area, west of Rafah, who were identified as aid truck drivers.
The Israeli army did not immediately comment on these developments.
Since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on Oct. 10, 2025, Israeli attacks have killed 883 Palestinians and wounded 2,648 others, according to Gaza-based health authorities.
The death toll since Oct. 7, 2023, has risen to 72,775, with 172,750 wounded.
Meanwhile, the Civil Defense Authority in Gaza called on the United States to intensify international efforts to end the suffering of civilians in the enclave.
In a letter to the U.S. president, Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said, "What is happening on the ground -- Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement brokered and supported by you -- and the accompanying tragic scenes, confirm that this suffering has not ended and that the humanitarian catastrophe continues in multiple forms."
He called on the U.S. administration to exert pressure on Israel to fully comply with the terms of the agreement and stop the ongoing humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.
The people of Gaza "are only asking for their natural right to life, security, and dignity," he said. ■
