Israeli Bombardment Leaves Over 50 Dead in Gaza
On Tuesday, Israeli forces engaged in fierce clashes with Hamas-led fighters across several areas of the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian health officials, at least 57 people have been killed due to Israeli airstrikes in southern and central regions.
Hamas has accused Israel of ramping up attacks in Gaza to thwart efforts by Arab mediators and the United States to secure a ceasefire agreement. Conversely, Israel argues that its operations are focused on eliminating Hamas fighters entrenched in Gaza.
Southern Gaza Airstrikes
In Rafah, a border city in the south, five Palestinians were killed when an airstrike hit a house, as reported by Gaza’s health officials. In Khan Younis, another airstrike resulted in the deaths of a man, his wife, and their two children.
Later on Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike targeting a car in Khan Younis killed at least 17 Palestinians and injured 26 others. The strike took place near a tented area on Attar Street in Al-Mawasi, a humanitarian-designated zone housing displaced families. The Israeli military stated the target was a senior militant from the Islamic Jihad group, an ally of Hamas.
“We are investigating reports that several civilians were injured as a result of the strike,” said the military in a statement.
Eyewitness Tahrir Matir described the aftermath: “The car was hit, blood splashed everywhere, and shrapnel struck our tents. Bodies were left on the street. We shouted for ambulances, but we had to transport the casualties using carts and rickshaws until help arrived.”
UN School Hit
In Nuseirat camp, located in central Gaza, at least four Palestinians were killed in separate shelling and airstrikes. Another four individuals were killed in Sheikh Zayed in northern Gaza, according to medical sources.
A particularly devastating incident occurred when an airstrike targeted a U.N.-run school in the Nuseirat camp, killing 23 people and injuring many others. Among those killed was local journalist Mohammad Meshmesh, bringing the death toll of journalists in this conflict to 160, as per the Gaza government media office managed by Hamas.
Eyewitness Umm Omar Ahmed at Nuseirat camp expressed despair: “Where is the safety for U.N. agency schools? No safe schools, clinics, houses, or streets remain. We are left desolate, displaced, and destroyed.”
The Israeli military claimed it targeted a group of “terrorists” operating from within the school and had taken steps to mitigate the risk to civilians.
Escalating Conflict and Rising Casualties
Israel has committed to dismantling Hamas following an attack by the group on October 7 that resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages taken in southern Israeli communities. On Tuesday, the Israeli military announced it had neutralised half of Hamas’ military leadership, with approximately 14,000 fighters either killed or captured since the conflict began.
Gaza health authorities reported that the ongoing Israeli offensive has led to the deaths of at least 38,713 Palestinians. Israel has also suffered significant losses, with 326 soldiers killed in Gaza.
Families gathered at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza to say their final goodbyes before funerals. Elderly Palestinian Sahar Abu Emeira voiced the community’s exhaustion: “We’re extremely tired, our patience is over. Both sides need to reach an agreement as soon as possible.”
As the conflict continues, hopes for a ceasefire remain elusive, with both sides suffering deeply and urgently needing a resolution.
For more details, visit Reuters.
