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Gaza Airstrike: Casualties Mount as Conflict Intensifies
At least 29 Palestinians have perished in a recent Israeli airstrike that targeted a multi-story residential building in eastern Gaza City, according to reports from a local hospital. The incident in Shejaiya, a Gaza City neighbourhood, occurred on Tuesday morning and has resulted in numerous casualties and ongoing rescue efforts.
Residential Building Hit in Shejaiya Neighbourhood
The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency reported that Israeli warplanes struck the vicinity of the al-Hawashi mosque in Shejaiya. The strike on the densely populated area has led to a significant number of casualties and widespread damage.
Children Among Fatalities, Dozens Injured
Tragically, among the deceased are at least eight children. Furthermore, over 60 individuals sustained injuries in the attack. Rescue personnel are currently engaged in efforts to locate approximately two dozen people believed to be trapped beneath the debris of the collapsed structure.
Israeli Military Claims Strike Targeted Hamas Operative
The Israeli military issued a statement asserting that the airstrike was aimed at a “senior Hamas operative” allegedly responsible for orchestrating and executing attacks in the region. The military justified the operation as necessary to counter militant activity.
“Precision Weapons” Used, Military States
The Israeli military maintained that it took “numerous steps” to minimize harm to civilians during the operation, including deploying “precision weapons.” They emphasized their adherence to protocols aimed at reducing civilian casualties during military actions.
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Accusations of Human Shields
In a counter-accusation, the Israeli military alleged that Hamas violates international law by “deliberately using the civilian population as human shields.” This statement suggests that Hamas’s positioning within civilian areas contributes to the risk of civilian casualties during Israeli military operations.
Eyewitness Accounts Describe Chaos and Devastation
Distressing video footage from Shejaiya depicted dust-covered bodies of young children being carried away from the wreckage by grieving relatives and rescue teams. The visual evidence underscored the devastating impact of the airstrike on civilian populations.
“Horrific Massacre,” Resident Reports
Ayub Salim, a 26-year-old resident, described the area surrounding the targeted residential building as “overcrowded with tents, displaced people and homes.” He recounted that the location was struck by “multiple missiles” and that “shrapnel flew in all directions.”
Salim further stated, “Dust and massive destruction filled the entire place, we couldn’t see anything, just the screams and panic of the people. It is truly a horrific massacre.” His account paints a picture of a chaotic and devastating aftermath.
Hamas Condemns “Bloody Massacre”
Hamas officials also decried the incident, labeling the Israeli military action as a “bloody massacre.” This strong condemnation reflects the heightened tensions and escalating rhetoric between the involved parties.
Evacuation Orders Preceded Strike
It is noted that thousands of Shejaiya residents had fled their homes in the preceding week following evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military. The military stated these orders were part of an operation to dismantle “terrorist infrastructure” in the area.
Overall Gaza Casualties Rise Amid Continued Conflict
Earlier on Tuesday, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported that at least 33 individuals had been killed in Israeli attacks within the preceding 24-hour period. These figures highlight the ongoing intensity of the conflict and its devastating toll.
Mounting Death Toll and Displacement
The reported death toll since Israel resumed its air and ground offensive against Hamas on March 18th has now reached 1,482. Furthermore, the United Nations reports that an additional 390,000 individuals have been displaced in the past three weeks alone. Two-thirds of Gaza territory is now designated as “no-go” zones or under evacuation orders by the Israeli military.
UN Warns of Humanitarian Crisis Worsening
The UN has issued stark warnings regarding the severe depletion of essential supplies, including food, medicine, and fuel in Gaza. They attribute this crisis to Israel’s month-long prevention of humanitarian aid deliveries, allegedly aimed at pressuring Hamas.
Guterres Condemns “Blockade” and “Horror”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the Israeli blockade on Tuesday, asserting that it violates international law and has unleashed “the floodgates of horror.”
“Gaza is a killing field and civilians are in an endless death loop,” Guterres added, underscoring the dire humanitarian situation and the immense suffering of the civilian population.
Israel Rejects UN Criticism, Claims Aid Access
The Israeli foreign ministry dismissed Guterres’s condemnation, accusing him of spreading “slander against Israel” and disregarding factual information.
Claims of Aid Entry Contested
“There is no shortage of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip – over 25,000 aid trucks have entered the Gaza Strip in the 42 days of the ceasefire. Hamas used this aid to rebuild its war machine,” stated Oren Marmonstein, an Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson. This assertion directly contradicts UN assessments and on-the-ground reports.
UN Humanitarian Agencies Dispute Israeli Aid Claims
On Monday, the heads of six UN humanitarian organizations refuted Israel’s claim of sufficient food supplies for Gaza’s 2.1 million residents, deeming it “far from reality on the ground.”
Call for Ceasefire Renewal and Hostage Release
The UN agencies jointly called for the protection of civilians, the facilitation of aid deliveries, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and the resumption of the ceasefire. These demands reflect the international community’s growing concern over the humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for de-escalation.
Ceasefire Mediation Efforts Continue
Mediators are reportedly continuing efforts to revive the ceasefire that commenced on January 19th. The previous truce saw Hamas release Israeli and Thai hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Stalled Ceasefire Negotiations
Israel attributed the resumption of its offensive to Hamas’s rejection of a proposal to extend the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement and release additional hostages. Conversely, Hamas accused Israel of breaching the original agreement, which purportedly included provisions for a second phase involving the release of all remaining living hostages and a permanent cessation of hostilities.
Context: Hamas Attack and Ongoing Conflict
The Israeli military initiated its campaign to dismantle Hamas following the unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023. During that attack, approximately 1,200 individuals were killed in Israel and 251 were taken hostage.
Gaza Death Toll Exceeds 50,000
According to the Gaza health ministry, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 50,840 people in Gaza since October 7th. These figures underscore the devastating human cost of the ongoing conflict.