In a devastating turn of events, an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza has claimed the lives of more than 30 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The attack took place on Saturday amid the continued hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants, with the health ministry spokesperson, Ashraf Al-Qudra, labeling it a “massacre” committed by the Israeli occupation.
Hamas, in a statement posted on Telegram, accused Israel of directly targeting citizens’ homes and emphasized that the majority of the casualties were women and children. The incident highlights the human toll of the ongoing conflict in the region.
One eyewitness to the tragedy, Mohammed Alaloul, a journalist working for the Turkish Anadolu Agency, recounted the devastation caused by the Israeli airstrike. His neighbors’ house in Al-Maghazi camp was directly hit, causing partial collapse to his own home. Tragically, Alaloul’s 13-year-old son, Ahmed, and his 4-year-old son, Qais, lost their lives in the attack, along with his brother. His wife, mother, and two other children sustained injuries, underscoring the grim impact on innocent civilians.
The Israeli military spokesperson announced that they are investigating whether the Israel Defense Forces were operating in the area at the time of the bombing. This incident adds to the escalating tensions in the region, with Israel vowing to respond to Hamas following an October 7 attack that it claims resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of more than 240 Israeli and foreign hostages.
The ongoing conflict has taken a severe toll on the health ministry in Gaza, which is under Hamas control. According to their records, more than 9,480 Gazans, primarily women and children, have lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes and the intensifying ground campaign.
Israeli Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi visited troops inside Gaza after they encircled Gaza City, situated north of Al-Maghazi. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that Israeli forces were engaged in intense fighting in Gaza, with operations extending from the south to the north of Gaza City, including populated areas. The situation remains critical as both sides grapple with the repercussions of the ongoing conflict.
Sources By Agencies
