In a devastating incident, at least 15 Palestinians, including eight children and two women, were killed in an Israeli airstrike near a medical point in central Gaza, according to reports from Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital. This strike occurred while individuals were queuing for nutritional supplements in the town of Deir al-Balah. Graphic footage from the hospital depicted the heartbreaking scene, with the bodies of several children and others lying on the floor as medical personnel worked tirelessly to treat their injuries.
The Israeli military claimed that the strike was aimed at a Hamas terrorist allegedly operating in the area. In a statement, the military expressed regret for any harm inflicted on uninvolved individuals and noted that the incident is currently under review. The airstrike was part of a broader military operation, as tensions continue to escalate in the region.
Reports indicate that another 26 people were killed in separate strikes across Gaza on the same day, highlighting the ongoing violence amid negotiations for a new ceasefire and hostage release deal involving Israeli and Hamas delegations in Doha. At the mortuary of Al-Aqsa hospital, relatives mourned as they wrapped the deceased children in white shrouds and body bags, preparing for funeral prayers. One grieving woman recounted the tragic loss of her pregnant niece, Manal, and her daughter, Fatima. "She was queuing to get the children's supplements when the incident happened," Intisar lamented, adding that Manal's son was in the intensive care unit.
As the world watches the humanitarian crisis unfold in the Gaza Strip, many voices are rising against the violence. One woman, standing nearby, questioned, "For what sin were they killed?" She expressed despair over the ongoing suffering, stating, "We are dying before the ears and eyes of the whole world." This sentiment echoes the feelings of countless others affected by the conflict, as they struggle to survive amidst the chaos.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asserted in their statement that the target of the airstrike was a member of the elite Nukhba forces of Hamas, who had participated in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The IDF acknowledged reports of injuries among civilians and reiterated that the incident is under review. The military emphasizes its regret concerning any harm to uninvolved individuals.
This tragic incident coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts to establish a ceasefire. Mediators are striving to bridge the significant gaps between Israel and Hamas, with a senior Israeli official indicating that it could take one or two weeks to finalize an agreement. During a visit to the United States by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the official noted that a potential 60-day ceasefire could be utilized by Israel to propose a permanent end to the conflict, contingent on Hamas's disarmament. Should Hamas decline to disarm, military operations would continue, they warned.
On the other side, Hamas has characterized the negotiations as challenging, attributing the difficulties to Israeli intransigence. The group has indicated a willingness to release 10 hostages but insists on achieving a comprehensive agreement that would put an end to the ongoing Israeli offensive. This escalation follows the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals.
Since the onset of the Israeli military campaign in response to the October attacks, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, at least 57,680 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza since the conflict escalated. The vast majority of the population has been displaced multiple times, with over 90% of homes reported as damaged or destroyed. The critical infrastructure for healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene has collapsed, leading to acute shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and shelter.
As the situation remains dire, the international community continues to call for an immediate end to the violence and a renewed focus on humanitarian aid for those affected by the ongoing conflict.
