On Thursday, reports from rescuers indicate that at least 69 individuals have lost their lives due to intensified Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, including significant casualties among women and children.
Intensified Israeli Strikes Claim Dozens of Lives in Gaza
Intensified Israeli Strikes Claim Dozens of Lives in Gaza
Bombardment leads to at least 69 fatalities in a day, with increasing calls for ceasefire negotiations.
At least 69 people have been reported killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza as the situation escalates, according to multiple rescue agencies. The bombardment intensified on Thursday, culminating in a tragic incident where 15 individuals died when an Israeli strike hit a school being used as a shelter for displaced families in Gaza City. The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency confirmed these figures, while the Israeli military stated that its strikes were aimed at a prominent Hamas operative located within the school premises.
Further, the Civil Defence agency reported that 38 more people were killed while waiting in line for aid or on their way to receive it. The Israeli military, on the other hand, dismissed these claims as falsehoods. Amid these developments, international pressure mounts on both Israel and Hamas for a new ceasefire and potential hostage release deal, which is being facilitated by US President Joe Biden.
Biden announced that Israel had agreed to certain conditions for a proposed 60-day ceasefire. Nevertheless, both parties face significant hurdles before any resolution can be reached. Hamas has indicated that it is considering the proposals, yet remains adamant about seeking an end to hostilities and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
In the backdrop of continued violence, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to travel to Washington to discuss the ongoing crisis. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed responsibility for the strike on approximately 150 "terror targets" throughout Gaza over a 24-hour period, asserting that their actions are directed against combatants and weaponry.
Witnesses described the devastation, with Wafaa al-Arqan recalling, “Suddenly, we found the tent collapsing over us and a fire burning.” The IDF counters allegations of civilian casualties by asserting that they took measures to minimize harm and accused Hamas of utilizing civilians as human shields, a claim the Palestinian group has refuted.
Additionally, the Civil Defence reported ongoing casualties as individuals sought to obtain essential aid. Medics noted that at least 20 people died on their way to an aid distribution site due to Israeli fire. The IDF, while acknowledging operational challenges, firmly maintained that allegations of civilian injuries were exaggerated.
Since the initiation of the Israeli military campaign in response to Hamas's attacks on October 7, 2023, the death toll in Gaza has risen sharply, with the health ministry reporting over 57,130 fatalities. As both sides grapple with the fallout of the conflict, numerous humanitarian organizations have criticized current aid distribution systems, urging for compliance with humanitarian standards in light of continued violence near aid locations.
