An Israeli strike on the central Gaza Strip killed a family of eight, including parents and six children, in the Nuseirat refugee camp. The incident, which took place late Saturday, also left seven people wounded, including two women and a child in critical condition. Israel has been conducting frequent strikes on what it claims are militant targets in Gaza, citing the presence of armed groups in densely populated areas. The ongoing conflict with Hamas has resulted in civilian casualties, with Israel blaming the militant groups for operating in civilian areas.
In response to the continued Israeli attacks, northern Gaza, including Gaza City, has been ordered to evacuate. Approximately 400,000 people remain in the north, as fears grow that Israel intends to depopulate the area for military bases or settlements. The region has been cut off from food supplies since early October, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Hospitals in the north have received limited fuel and medical supplies, leading to challenges in treating the influx of casualties from the ongoing violence in the region.
The conflict in Gaza began a year ago when Hamas-led militants infiltrated southern Israel, resulting in a high number of casualties and abductions. Israel’s military actions in response have resulted in significant civilian deaths and destruction in Gaza, with over 42,000 Palestinians killed and the territory left in ruins. The exact breakdown of casualties between fighters and civilians is not provided by Palestinian medical officials, but they highlight the significant toll on women and children. Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 fighters but has not provided supporting evidence.
In a separate front, Israeli airstrikes destroyed an Ottoman-era market in Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, killing at least one person and injuring several others. The market, dating back to 1910, was a vital livelihood for many local residents, whose shops and homes were destroyed in the attacks. Hezbollah, which is allied with Hamas, has been engaged in the conflict with Israel, resulting in retaliatory airstrikes and ground operations. The escalating violence has taken a heavy toll on both Lebanese and Israeli civilians, with significant casualties reported on both sides.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel, triggering Israeli strikes that led to the death of key Hezbollah leaders. The conflict intensified with a ground operation into southern Lebanon, resulting in further casualties and destruction. Paramedics in Lebanon have faced challenges in rescuing casualties, with reports of ambulances being targeted by Israeli airstrikes. The Lebanese Red Cross has been coordinating rescue efforts with U.N. peacekeepers, but incidents of first responders being attacked highlight the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in the volatile region.
The conflict between Israel, Hezbollah, and Hamas has drawn in other regional actors, including Iran, which has launched ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah’s leader and other key figures. The ongoing violence has resulted in thousands of casualties on both sides, with significant civilian deaths and widespread destruction. As the conflict continues to escalate, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Lebanon worsens, with limited access to essential supplies and medical care. International efforts to bring about a ceasefire and negotiations for peace remain elusive in the face of ongoing hostilities.
