The health ministry in Gaza, which is run by Hamas, has reported that Israeli air strikes have resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals. These strikes targeted a mosque and a school that were sheltering displaced Palestinians in the central part of the territory. In addition to the fatalities, dozens of people sustained injuries during the attacks.
The Israeli military has stated that its operations aimed at Hamas militants who were allegedly operating within “command and control” centres located at these sites. This assertion reflects the ongoing conflict and the military’s justification for its actions.
In the northern region of Gaza, Israeli forces have encircled the Jabalia area. This move was reportedly in response to what the Israeli military described as Hamas efforts to rebuild its operations in the region. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to navigate the ongoing hostilities.
Following the air strikes in central Gaza, videos verified by the BBC depicted scenes of devastation. Footage from the mosque showed bodies and blood among the rubble, while images from the school captured the structure engulfed in flames, with a man being evacuated on a stretcher.
Earlier reports from the Hamas-run civil defense agency indicated that 21 individuals had lost their lives and many others were injured in the strike on the mosque. This information was corroborated by the AFP news agency, highlighting the severity of the situation.
According to the Reuters news agency, at least 93 people were reported injured as a result of the air strikes. These figures were sourced from Gaza’s Hamas-run media office, underscoring the significant impact of the military actions on the local population.
The strikes on Sunday coincided almost exactly with the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas gunmen on Israel. That incident resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of 251 hostages, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict.
Since that time, the health ministry has reported that 41,870 Palestinians have been killed and over 97,000 injured in Gaza. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its casualty figures, which adds complexity to the understanding of the toll of this conflict.
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The United Nations has also referenced these figures from the Gaza health ministry, considering them reliable. Notably, it reported that 187 people were killed in Gaza from September 30 to October 4 alone, indicating a spike in violence during that period.
In response to the recent strikes, Hamas has accused Israel of “bombing citizens’ homes and demolishing them over their heads,” which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have stated that they took multiple steps prior to the attacks, emphasizing their operational protocols amidst the ongoing conflict.
