Gaza Air Strikes Result in 22 Fatalities
Rescue teams in Gaza have reported a tragic toll from recent Israeli air strikes, with 22 fatalities and numerous injuries recorded across the territory on Sunday. Mahmud Bassal, a spokesperson for the civil defense agency, revealed that seven victims perished in a strike on a residential home in Jabalia, located in the northern part of Gaza. The situation worsened as rescuers struggled to retrieve individuals trapped beneath the rubble, hindered by a lack of adequate search and heavy lifting equipment.
In another devastating incident, a strike aimed at tents housing displaced persons in the Nuseirat area of central Gaza claimed the lives of two additional individuals, including a seven-month-pregnant woman. Unfortunately, medical personnel were unable to save the unborn child. Bassal also noted that Ashraf Abu Nar, the director of civil defense operations, and his spouse were among the fatalities caused by an air strike that hit their home in Nuseirat.
Widespread Casualties and Ongoing Conflict
The civil defense agency reported additional fatal air strikes in the central region near Deir el-Balah, as well as in northern Beit Lahia and southern Khan Yunis. In total, the agency confirmed the recovery of at least 22 bodies, which included several children, alongside dozens of injured individuals on Sunday. Furthermore, there are still reports of people missing following these attacks.
The Israeli army has yet to issue comments regarding the air strikes. Their intensified military operations in Gaza have been characterized as a renewed campaign to dismantle Hamas militants. Just the day before, Israeli forces announced they had targeted over 100 locations within Gaza in a 24-hour period.
Rising Death Toll Amid Renewed Violence
The health ministry in Gaza indicated a harrowing increase in fatalities, reporting that at least 3,785 people have died in the region since a ceasefire collapsed on March 18. This brings the total death toll from the ongoing conflict to an alarming 53,939, with the majority being civilians caught in the crossfire.
The violence was reignited following an October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, which led to the deaths of 1,218 individuals, primarily civilians, as documented by AFP based on official reports. Moreover, militants have taken 251 hostages, with 57 still held in Gaza, which includes 34 individuals that the Israeli military has reported as deceased.
