8 Palestinians killed in Gaza as Qatari LNG ship hit in Gulf

Israeli airstrikes killed eight people in Gaza on Sunday, including a four-year-old boy, as a Qatari liquefied natural gas carrier reported taking fire in the Persian Gulf. The same day, the United Nations demanded an investigation into the death of a human rights employee held by Yemeni Houthi rebels.

Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza, received the bodies of five people killed in a local strike. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City treated three additional fatalities from a separate attack in the northern area, including the child and a woman who suffered serious wounds. The Israeli military stated it targeted several militants in Khan Younis and one Hamas fighter in northern Gaza.

The conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led forces entered southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting 251. A ceasefire reached in October 2025 has reduced large-scale fighting, though Israeli strikes continue almost daily. Gaza's Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-led government, says more than 1,570 Palestinians have died since the truce, bringing the total war death toll to over 74,500. Israel asserts its strikes target military assets and accuses Hamas of using civilians as shields.

Qatar's state-owned gas transport company, Nakilat, announced on Sunday that its vessel, the Al Mayeda, was hit by unidentified objects on Friday night. The company said the ship sustained damage but remained operational, with no crew injuries or environmental impact. Qatar's foreign ministry condemned the incident and said officials were investigating the responsible party. It warned that such attacks threaten regional stability and marine life. Iran has previously claimed attacks on ships and warned that vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz without permission could be destroyed.

Houthi rebels in Yemen reported two airstrikes on the University of Hodeida on Sunday, according to the group's Al-Masirah TV channel. The rebels blamed Saudi Arabia for hitting the medical school, though no casualty count was immediately available. The port city of Hodeida has faced repeated attacks as fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces has intensified, reviving Yemen's civil war.

The United Nations called for an investigation after Mohammad el Shami, a staffer with the U.N. human rights office, died in Houthi custody. El Shami had been held since June 2024. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Saturday that the Houthis provided no proof of life or information on his well-being despite repeated requests. A World Food Program worker died in Houthi custody in February 2025.

Iran designated the British Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organizations on Sunday, according to state-run news agency IRNA. The country also declared the British intelligence service MI6 a hostile entity. Iran's Foreign Ministry accused the United Kingdom of supporting U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran by providing bases and logistical support. The move allows Iran to prosecute individuals accused of working with MI6 and may increase the risk of military confrontation.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Donald Blome said at the Manama Dialogue security forum in Bahrain that the United States has kept negotiation channels open with Iran while preparing for other options. He stated that the U.S. cannot allow Iran to take the region and the global economy hostage. The U.S. has extended a hand in talks, Blome said, but remains ready to act if necessary.