Tragedy struck in Gaza City as at least 29 Palestinians lost their lives in an Israeli air strike on a residential building in the east of the city. The strike, which occurred near al-Hawashi mosque in the Shejaiya neighbourhood, left over 40 people wounded and rescuers are still searching for bodies in the rubble, as reported by a local hospital and the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency.
The Israeli military stated that the target of the air strike was a “senior Hamas terrorist” responsible for planning and executing attacks in the area. The military claimed to have taken numerous steps to minimize harm to civilians, including the use of precision weapons. Additionally, they accused Hamas of using the civilian population as human shields, a violation of international law.
A witness, Ayub Salim, described the area as overcrowded with tents, displaced people, and homes. He recounted the horror of the multiple missile strikes, causing debris and shrapnel to scatter in all directions. The aftermath was filled with dust, destruction, screams, and panic among the people, painting a picture of a horrific massacre.
The recent escalation in violence comes after thousands of residents in Shejaiya were forced to evacuate last week following orders from the Israeli military to destroy terrorist infrastructure in the area. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported a total of 33 people killed in Israeli attacks over the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll since the resumption of hostilities on 18 March to 1,482.
As the conflict rages on, humanitarian concerns continue to mount. The UN has reported that 390,000 people have been displaced in the past three weeks, with large portions of Gaza designated as “no-go” zones or under evacuation orders. The blockade imposed by Israel has led to a shortage of essential supplies such as food, medicine, and fuel, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
UN Secretary General António Guterres condemned the blockade, stating that it violated international law and had led to a dire situation in Gaza. He criticized the Israeli government for their actions, describing Gaza as a “killing field” where civilians are trapped in an endless cycle of death and destruction.
In response, the Israeli foreign ministry rejected Guterres’ criticisms, claiming that humanitarian aid had been consistently delivered to Gaza. They accused Hamas of using aid to rebuild their military capabilities, while humanitarian agencies on the ground disputed the Israeli government’s claims of ample food supplies in Gaza.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated following a cross-border attack in October 2023, leading to a military campaign by Israel to destroy Hamas. The death toll in Gaza has continued to rise, with more than 50,840 people reported killed since the onset of the conflict.
As the situation in Gaza remains dire, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the humanitarian crisis and work towards a lasting solution to the conflict.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions, and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
