Gaza Strip, Palestine — A series of Israeli airstrikes targeted various locations across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, leading to the deaths of numerous Palestinians, including suspected Hamas members and civilians. Medical sources reported significant casualties particularly in the Nuseirat refugee district, where residential buildings were hit.
The strikes in Nuseirat claimed at least 25 lives and resulted in dozens of injuries, overwhelming local medical facilities as emergency responders struggled to care for the wounded. The violence extended across the Gaza Strip, with a total of 70 Palestinians reported dead throughout the day.
Earlier in the day, another attack targeted aid workers and civilians in southern Gaza, reportedly killing 13 people during an aid delivery process. Additional fatalities and injuries were documented in central and northern Gaza, highlighting the widespread impact of the conflict on the civilian population.
The Israeli military has justified the operations as targeted strikes against Hamas militants, including two specific raids in southern Gaza aimed at disrupting what Israel described as terrorist activities threatening humanitarian operations. According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), Hamas militants were allegedly plotting to seize humanitarian aid trucks.
Central to Thursday’s attacks was a strike in Gaza City, where Israel claimed to have eliminated key figures within Hamas, including a head of the group’s weapons production and a company commander. The IDF reported that an additional six Hamas militants were killed in the airstrike on a building that previously functioned as a school but was said to be used as a command center by Hamas.
The conflict in Gaza has escalated since Hamas’ major assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed more than 1,200 people. Since then, hostilities have intensified, with Palestinian reports indicating over 44,800 deaths within the coastal strip.
While Israel asserts that its military operations aim to minimize civilian casualties, Palestinian voices and international observers continue to raise concerns about the proportionality and precision of these attacks. The IDF frequently reiterates its commitment to targeting only military entities and operatives, yet the high number of civilian casualties suggests a grim reality for those caught in the crossfire.
Complicating matters, sources report that the targeted facilities in Gaza City had also provided refuge for civilians, including families and displaced individuals. These recurring strikes have not only led to a loss of life but have also deepened the humanitarian crisis in the region, impacting essential services and the overall infrastructure.
As the international community watches closely, the continued violence underscores the urgent need for effective diplomacy and humanitarian aid, aiming to prevent further escalation and protect innocent lives amidst one of the most complex and enduring conflicts of our times.