Israeli air strikes on Gaza City kill three after a commando raid is detected

An Israeli special-forces attempt to seize a Hamas security official in Gaza City on 1 September was discovered mid-operation, and air strikes fired to cover the withdrawal killed at least three people — two children and a woman — in the crowded Al-Katiba district in the west of the city, according to Gaza medics. Witnesses described at least a dozen missiles and two vehicles destroyed.

Israel's defence minister said a senior Hamas figure had been detained; an Israeli security official identified him as the head of Hamas's internal security service. Hamas confirmed an Israeli force had tried to operate in the city before being detected. The Israeli military said it struck "several targets" to remove threats to its forces.

Medics said a further child was killed by Israeli fire in central Gaza the same day. Casualty figures are from Gaza health officials and have not been independently verified.