The Israeli military has targeted a multi-storey residential building in Gaza City, leading to the deaths of at least 29 Palestinians, including children. Witnesses and medical officials cited considerable destruction and chaos as the death toll remains subject to revision. The event has prompted a fierce response from both factions involved, emphasizing tensions as humanitarian concerns rise.
Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Claims 29 Lives, Escalating Tensions
Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Claims 29 Lives, Escalating Tensions
A residential building in Gaza City was struck by an Israeli airstrike, resulting in multiple casualties amidst ongoing conflict dynamics.
An Israeli airstrike on a multi-storey residential building in the Shejaiya neighbourhood of Gaza City has reportedly killed at least 29 Palestinians, including children, according to local medical sources. The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency indicated that the strike occurred on Tuesday morning, near al-Hawashi mosque, and initially reported 23 fatalities. As rescue efforts progressed, they warned that many could still be trapped under debris, later confirming 15 additional bodies were recovered.
The Israeli military stated the attack was aimed at a "senior Hamas terrorist" linked to organizing strikes in the area. They claimed efforts were made to minimize civilian casualties by utilizing "precision weapons." Israel also accused Hamas of breaching international law by putting civilians in peril as human shields.
Witness accounts reveal the scale of devastation. Ayub Salim, a local resident, expressed the horror of the situation, stating that the area was filled with tents of displaced families and that the barrage of missiles inflicted overwhelming trauma and destruction. Another resident lamented the loss of what was purportedly a "safe area," questioning the targeting of civilian lives and the apparent apathy towards the plight of children.
As of recently, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry indicated that Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours had resulted in 33 deaths, pushing the death toll since the resumption of conflict on March 18 to 1,482. The Israeli military reported it had struck over 45 so-called "terror targets" in the region, including munitions production sites and rocket launchers.
In a broader context, the conflict has led to significant displacement, with recent reports indicating that around 390,000 individuals have fled their homes in just three weeks. The Israeli military has designated significant portions of Gaza as "no-go" zones, complicating humanitarian access. The United Nations (UN) has echoed concerns regarding the dire humanitarian situation, with Secretary-General António Guterres condemning the blockade of Gaza as a violation of international law and describing the ongoing violence as creating a “killing field” for civilians.
In response to these allegations, Israeli officials maintain that aid has been sufficient and accuse Hamas of misusing humanitarian supplies to strengthen its military capabilities. Just prior to the latest strikes, negotiations for renewing a ceasefire reached an impasse, highlighting the complexity of the situation.
As the conflict rages on, the international community grapples with calls for a reassessment of humanitarian strategies and the urgent necessity for protecting civilians amidst the escalating violence.
