GAZA, July 18 (Xinhua) -- At least three Palestinians were killed Saturday in an Israeli artillery strike in the Zeitoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources.

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike at the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, on July 16, 2026. (File photo: AFP)

Eyewitnesses said Israeli forces shelled a group of Palestinians in the neighborhood during military operations there.

Palestinian medical sources told Xinhua that the strike killed three people. There is no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

The shelling came as Israeli military vehicles advanced in the area, accompanied by gunfire, artillery fire and airstrikes, eyewitnesses added, noting that the operations have forced dozens of families to flee their homes and seek shelter in western Gaza City.

Meanwhile, local sources said Israeli military vehicles, accompanied by a bulldozer, advanced several dozen meters into the eastern outskirts of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip under the cover of gunfire.

They told Xinhua that the vehicles moved concrete barriers marking the "Yellow Line" about 100 meters westward before withdrawing.

The "Yellow Line" marks the Israeli military's withdrawal line established in the first phase of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire agreement. It demarcates areas under Israeli military control from zones where Palestinians are permitted to live and move.

The line has barred many residents from returning homes, particularly those in eastern Gaza City, eastern Khan Younis, and the northern towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia.