Israel Intensifies Strikes in Gaza, 38 Reported Killed in Quick Succession

A series of Israeli air bombardments have claimed the lives of at least 38 Palestinians in just thirty minutes, igniting further discourse on the humanitarian crisis in the region.

 

According to Palestinian medics, Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip have resulted in at least 38 fatalities within a span of half an hour overnight. The air raid targeted various locations, including a school in eastern Gaza City and an abandoned fuel depot in the Nuseirat refugee camp where displaced families had sought shelter, as reported by the Hamas-run civil defense agency. Rescue operations have been hampered due to intense bombardment and lack of resources, making it challenging for aid workers to reach the injured.

The strikes escalate following Israel's evacuation order for civilians in Gaza, with the government signaling potential large-scale assaults. Activists revealed that ten individuals died in an airstrike that struck classrooms at the Musa bin Nusayr School, where many displaced residents had taken refuge. In central Gaza, a strike on the fuel station reportedly resulted in 15 fatalities, while another 13 were killed in an attack on a home belonging to the Abu Samra family in Deir al-Balah.

Additionally, reports indicate that Israeli jets conducted ten separate bombings in the Shujaiya neighborhood, with residents describing the resulting explosions as tremors. These strikes were aimed at disrupting Hamas's network of underground tunnels, essential for their operations.

This escalation coincides with a statement by leaders from the UK, France, and Canada, who warned of potential action should Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pursue the complete takeover of Gaza. Netanyahu has dismissed the statements, framing them as an unmerited benefit for Hamas.

In a related development, Israel mentioned it would permit a limited flow of food into Gaza, thereby concluding an 11-week blockade, while UN aid chief Tom Fletcher criticized this gesture as woefully inadequate. The ongoing conflict, ignited by Hamas's assaults on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the capture of 251 hostages, 58 of whom remain in Gaza, with fears regarding their survival. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 53,486 Palestinians have perished amid the Israeli military operations in Gaza.