On Monday, June 2, 2025, an alleged Israeli airstrike and/or drone strike killed three civilians when it struck a vehicle carrying three Al-Bureij municipality employees on Al-Shalihat Street, southwest of Al-Zawayda in central Gaza.

The deceased has been identified as 60-year-old Sami Saeed Khalil Abu Hamida, an engineer with the Al-Bureij municipality. The two critically injured have been identified as Mahmoud Mansour and Ahmed Mansour, an accountant, and later it was reported that both had died from their injuries.

On Facebook, friends and family members shared messages of condolences for Sami Abu Hamida. Wafaa Abdel Wahab shared: “…I mourn my uncle, the martyr Sami Abu Hamida, who ascended to his Lord, leaving behind an unquenchable pain in our hearts. May God have mercy on him…and comfort my mother’s heart, who cannot bear his separation…”

Ibrahim Iyad al-Salihi remembered Sami as a “man of good character and conduct.” Mohammed K Baghdadi viewed Sami similarly, writing that he was an “example of morality, honesty, and sincerity” and was someone of “pure heart and pure character.” He further praised his professional dedication; he was killed “performing his duty in the service of his family and his country” and “was always in the front lines of serving the people.” Ashraf Maqdis lauded Sami’s religiosity: “We knew you, Abu Muhammad, as an example of morality and religion, always smiling, always upholding your religious duties, and always fulfilling your duties.”

Hasan Jber, Sami’s childhood friend, thought of him as someone who was a “fine example of a dedicated person in his life and work” and emphasised that he would remain “a beacon that illuminates our path.”

The attached photos showed “kind-hearted” Sami as an older man with grey hair and a light beard.

The second victim, Mahmoud Mansour, also known as Hawtah/Houta, was critically injured in the incident. Ali Mansour on Facebook shared: “…Prayers for the kind-hearted man, Hawtah Mahmoud Mansour, for a speedy recovery, and for all the injured, a recovery that leaves no illness. Your prayers for the dear Mahmoud Mansour #Hawtah, an employee of the al-Bureij Municipality, after the municipality car was targeted a short while ago…” Images attached to the posts show Mahmoud as a young man with black hair and a beard.

The third victim, Ahmed Mansour, was also critically injured in the strike. On Twitter/X, Al-Bureij Unites Us asked for “prayers for the dear Ahmed Mansour #Abu_Mustafa, the accountant of al-Bureij Municipality, after the municipality car was targeted a short while ago…”

Many sources claimed that Mahmoud Mansour and Ahmed Mansour had been killed in the strike, not wounded. It is possible this was the result of on-the-ground confusion, though it is also possible that both men later succumbed to injuries sustained in the strike.

Initial reports on Twitter from PalinfoAr, paldf, AlarabyTV and many other news sources indicated that an Israeli aircraft targeted their vehicle southwest of Al-Zawayda (Az-Zawayda) town in central Gaza. There is conflicting reporting on the ownership of the vehicle, with some sources claiming it belonged to the workers, with others referring to it as the mayor’s vehicle.

According to AlArabiya on Twitter/X, the victims were transported to Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. AlQastalps on X/Twitter added two photos of the vehicle that was hit: a white van with severely damaged doors, windows, and roof. The same images were circulated by other sources reporting on the incident.

Where sources identified belligerents, all sources attributed the strike to the Israeli military.