On 4 January 2005 seven civilian residents of Beit Lahia, including six members of the same family, were killed, with the incident blamed on shelling by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of the agricultural area where they were working. On 9 June 2006, eight civilians were killed by IDF shells, while picnicking on the northern Gazan beach in Beit Lahia. The dead included seven members of the Ali Ghaliya family.The Guardian: Death on the beach: seven Palestinians killed as Israeli shells hit family picnic, 10 June 2006 The IDF disputed they were responsible.Haaretz: IDF probe: Gaza beach blast not caused by wayward army shell The town is a frequent target of airstrikes by Israel and has been a battlefield between Israel and Hamas. The Ibrahim al-Maqadna mosque was hit by Israeli missiles in 2009, resulting in 13 deaths.
