Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip have led to the tragic deaths of 18 Palestinians, including eight children. Strikes hit various locations in Gaza, with several families devastated by the loss of multiple members.
- Gaza City: A strike in the Tufah neighborhood killed a mother and her three children. Another attack in downtown Gaza claimed the lives of a child, three women, and a man.
- Southern Gaza: In Khan Younis, a father and his three young children, along with a woman, were killed in an early morning strike. Another airstrike flattened a home, killing four people, including a child.
Despite these casualties, Palestinian health officials have not confirmed whether those killed were civilians or fighters. Israel maintains that it aims to avoid civilian casualties and accuses Hamas of endangering civilians by operating in residential areas.
Displacement and Destruction in Gaza
The conflict, which began after a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, has had devastating effects on Gaza’s population. Over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, and around 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced from their homes. The destruction across Gaza has been immense, with many homes and buildings reduced to rubble.
Israeli Military Rescues Hostage
The Israeli military successfully rescued Qaid Farhan Alkadi, an Arab citizen of Israel, who was abducted during the October 7 Hamas attack. This operation took place in the southern Gaza Strip. However, Hamas is still holding around 110 hostages, with concerns that about a third of them may be deceased.
Rising Violence in the West Bank
In the West Bank, Jewish settlers rampaged through the town of Wadi Rahal, killing a Palestinian and wounding three others. The Israeli military intervened to disperse the clashes but is investigating the fatality. Settler violence has surged since the October 7 attack, with ongoing Israeli military raids resulting in hundreds of Palestinian deaths.
International Response and UN Operations
The United Nations has expressed concern over the shrinking humanitarian zone in Gaza due to ongoing Israeli military actions. The UN agency helping Palestinian refugees struggles to provide limited access to essential services, including food, water, and healthcare. Despite these challenges, the UN is preparing a vaccination campaign to combat a recent polio outbreak in Gaza.
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