An Israeli strike on a building where displaced Palestinians were sheltering in the northern Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of at least 34 people, more than half of whom were women and children. Among those killed were two mothers with multiple children, and around 20 others were wounded in the attack. The Israeli military has been conducting a large-scale operation in northern Gaza for over three weeks, targeting Hamas militants in the area. However, the strikes have often resulted in the deaths of civilians, including women and children.
In a separate development, Lebanon’s militant group Hezbollah announced Sheikh Naim Kassem as its new leader following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike. Kassem, who had served as Nasrallah’s deputy leader for over three decades, was chosen as the new secretary-general by Hezbollah’s decision-making Shura Council. The group has vowed to continue with Nasrallah’s policies until victory is achieved, indicating a strong stance against Israeli aggression.
The Gaza Health Ministry’s emergency service reported that among the casualties in the strike on Beit Lahiya were a mother with five children and another mother with six children. The Kamal Adwan Hospital, which received the wave of wounded people, was overwhelmed by the influx of patients. Additionally, the Israeli military had raided the hospital over the weekend and detained several medics, further impacting the healthcare response in the area.
Israel’s latest major operation in northern Gaza, specifically targeting the Jabaliya refugee camp, has resulted in hundreds of deaths and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes. The Israeli military has conducted raids on various hospitals in the region, detaining Hamas militants and disrupting medical services. The restrictions on aid to the north have raised concerns among Palestinians that Israel may be implementing a plan to evacuate civilians, cut off aid supplies, and label remaining residents as militants.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has faced obstacles in operating in the Palestinian territories due to recent laws passed by Israel’s parliament. Israel has accused UNRWA of being infiltrated by Hamas, a claim denied by the agency. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas began in 2023 when Hamas militants carried out attacks in Israel, resulting in a retaliatory offensive by Israel that has caused thousands of Palestinian deaths and mass displacement of civilians. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with a significant portion of the population displaced and in need of aid.
The impact of the conflict on civilians, particularly women and children, is significant, with many lives lost and families torn apart. The continued Israeli military operations have raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the treatment of civilians in the region. The international community, including the United States, has called for greater aid efforts to support the displaced population in Gaza. The situation in Gaza remains a complex and ongoing conflict, with the need for a peaceful resolution to ensure the safety and well-being of all those affected by the violence.
