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Tragic Impact of Israeli Air Strikes in Gaza
Recent air strikes on Gaza City have led to severe casualties, with at least 29 Palestinian deaths reported following an attack on a residential building in the Shejaiya neighborhood, according to local hospital sources. The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency confirmed that the strikes occurred near the al-Hawashi mosque.
The agency indicated that among the deceased, eight were children, and over 60 individuals sustained injuries. Rescue efforts are still underway as workers search through the rubble for around 24 missing persons.
The Israeli military asserted that the targeted operation was aimed at eliminating a “senior Hamas terrorist” involved in orchestrating attacks in the vicinity. They emphasized that measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including the deployment of precision-guided munitions. Additionally, the Israeli military accused Hamas of contravening international law by allegedly using civilians as human shields in their operations.
Eyewitness accounts from the area revealed the traumatic aftermath of the attack. Ayub Salim, a local resident, described the scene as horrific, stating, “Dust and massive destruction filled the entire place. We couldn’t see anything, just the screams and panic of the people.” The chaos followed multiple missile strikes that sent shrapnel flying in all directions, leaving both residents and rescue personnel in shock.
Following the assault, Hamas condemned the Israeli military actions as a “bloody massacre.” In the wake of escalating violence, thousands have fled Shejaiya after the Israeli military advised a mass evacuation, citing an ongoing campaign to dismantle what it terms “terrorist infrastructure.”
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
On the previous day, Gaza’s health ministry reported that Israeli attacks had claimed at least 33 lives over a 24-hour period. This escalation has driven the total death toll in the region to approximately 1,482 since the reintensification of military operations against Hamas beginning on March 18.
The United Nations reported that nearly 390,000 individuals have been displaced in recent weeks, with two-thirds of Gaza now categorized as “no-go” zones or under evacuation orders. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, as the UN highlights severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel due to Israel’s blockade on humanitarian aid shipments.
In a stern response to the ongoing blockade, UN Secretary General António Guterres criticized the Israeli government for actions that he claims violate international law. He described the conditions in Gaza as dire, stating, “Gaza is a killing field and civilians are in an endless death loop.”
The Israeli foreign ministry dismissed Guterres’ criticisms, asserting that humanitarian aid is flowing into Gaza, claiming that over 25,000 aid trucks have entered during the recent ceasefire. Spokesman Oren Marmonstein claimed that this aid has been manipulated by Hamas to reinforce its military capabilities.
Calls for Civilians’ Protection and Ceasefire Resumption
Humanitarian leaders from six UN agencies refuted the assertion that adequate food supplies exist for Gaza’s population of 2.1 million, labeling it “far from reality.” They emphasized the urgent need for civilian protection, unhindered aid delivery, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and the revival of a ceasefire.
Mediators are currently striving to restore the ceasefire established on January 19, which allowed for significant humanitarian assistance in exchange for the release of hostages by Hamas. Israel resumed military operations due to Hamas’s rejection of a ceasefire extension and the incomplete return of hostages, which include 59 individuals still believed to be held.
The ongoing military campaign by Israel was a direct response to a brutal attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in substantial casualties and widespread outrage. The toll in Gaza has since surged, with local health officials reporting over 50,840 fatalities, reflecting the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis for the territory.
Source
www.bbc.com