At least 38 Palestinians have lost their lives following a series of intense Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip, reports Palestinian medics. The strikes, which lasted for about half an hour overnight, targeted multiple locations across the region, including a school in eastern Gaza City and an abandoned fuel station sheltering displaced families in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
Targeted Attacks and Heavy Casualties
The Hamas-run civil defense agency reported that the strikes killed at least 38 people. In Gaza City, ten victims were killed when Israeli aircraft bombed classrooms at the Musa bin Nusayr School, which was housing hundreds of displaced people. Meanwhile, in central Gaza, 15 individuals lost their lives when a strike hit tents at the fuel station, a temporary shelter for displaced families. Additionally, 13 Palestinians were killed when an Israeli air strike targeted the Abu Samra family’s three-story home in central Deir al-Balah.
Israeli warplanes also carried out ten air strikes on the Shujaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, with reports describing the blasts as tremors similar to an earthquake. These strikes were believed to have targeted Hamas’s network of underground tunnels.
Rescue Efforts Struggling Amid Heavy Bombardment
As the death toll rises, rescue teams are facing immense challenges in reaching survivors due to the lack of equipment and the intensity of ongoing bombardment. Palestinian medical teams have been overwhelmed by the scale of the destruction.
International Response and Pressure on Israel
The timing of the air strikes coincides with a growing international outcry against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The UK, France, and Canada recently issued a joint statement urging Israel to cease its military offensive. The three countries expressed concerns over the disproportionate escalation of violence and warned of potential actions if Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government continues its pursuit of full control over Gaza.
Despite mounting pressure, Netanyahu has dismissed these calls, claiming they reward Hamas and encourage more attacks on Israel.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The ongoing military campaign has resulted in significant casualties, with over 53,000 Palestinians reported dead, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. As the death toll climbs, international aid efforts remain critical. While Israel has agreed to allow limited food supplies into Gaza, humanitarian agencies argue that the aid is grossly insufficient to meet the needs of the besieged population.
With the violence showing no sign of abating, the situation in Gaza continues to spiral into a deeper humanitarian crisis. As Israel’s offensive presses on, the global community’s demands for an immediate ceasefire and greater humanitarian access grow louder.
