At least 15 Palestinians were killed, and dozens injured on Thursday evening following a series of Israeli airstrikes on residential areas in Gaza City, according to official Palestinian sources. The strikes, which targeted homes in the Sheikh Radwan and Sabra neighborhoods, mark another escalation in the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas.
Destruction in Sheikh Radwan
Mahmoud Basal, the Palestinian Civil Defense spokesperson in Gaza, confirmed that 13 individuals lost their lives, and 40 were injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting a house sheltering displaced families in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, located in northern Gaza City.
“Rescue teams are continuing to search for injured people and bodies under the rubble,” Basal stated, highlighting the grim conditions in the aftermath of the attack. Among the casualties, women and children were reported, amplifying the humanitarian toll of the conflict.
Sabra Neighborhood Strikes
In a separate incident, the Sabra neighborhood in southern Gaza City was struck by Israeli shelling. At least two people were confirmed dead, and over 20 others were wounded. Seven individuals remain trapped beneath the debris of the destroyed home, with rescue operations ongoing to locate survivors and recover bodies.
Emergency response teams face significant challenges in accessing affected areas due to the relentless aerial bombardment, crumbling infrastructure, and the overwhelming scale of destruction.
Context of the Escalation
The strikes are part of a broader Israeli military offensive in Gaza launched in response to a devastating Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. During that incursion, over 1,200 Israelis were killed, and around 250 were taken hostage by Hamas fighters. The assault marked one of the deadliest days in Israel’s history and prompted a large-scale retaliatory operation targeting Hamas-controlled areas in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military has not issued a statement regarding Thursday’s airstrikes or the civilian casualties reported. The lack of comment leaves unanswered questions about the specific military objectives behind the latest attacks.
Rising Casualty Figures
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli offensive has risen to 45,399 since the campaign began. This staggering number underscores the immense human cost of the conflict, with thousands of civilians among the dead. The figure reflects deaths from both airstrikes and ground incursions, which have intensified in recent weeks.
Humanitarian Crisis
The continued targeting of residential areas has exacerbated Gaza’s already dire humanitarian crisis. With over 2.3 million residents, Gaza is one of the world’s most densely populated areas, leaving civilians with few places to seek refuge. Key infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and shelters, has been damaged or destroyed, compounding the suffering of those caught in the crossfire.
International organizations have repeatedly called for restraint and the protection of civilian lives. However, the conflict shows no signs of abating, with both sides accusing the other of committing atrocities. Humanitarian aid efforts have struggled to reach affected populations due to ongoing hostilities and blockades.
