On Saturday, a tragic event unfolded in Gaza as numerous Palestinians lost their lives due to a series of air strikes carried out by Israel, as detailed in reports from Palestinian media. The strikes specifically targeted two residences on Old Gaza Street in Jabalia, leading to the tragic demise of at least 14 individuals, while another home in Jabalia also suffered strikes resulting in dozens of casualties, as reported by the official WAFA news agency. The aftermath revealed a dire situation with many civilians trapped beneath the debris.
The Israeli military, in response, indicated that their forces engaged with militants sheltered in two schools in Gaza City. Additionally, they conducted raids on apartments in Khan Younis, uncovering weapons, and identifying underground infrastructure allegedly utilized by Hamas. The complex nature of the conflict further unfolded as the United States urged Israel to reconsider its military strategy, emphasizing a shift towards more precisely targeted operations against Hamas leaders.
This latest escalation came after President Joe Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, conveyed a message during his recent visit to Israel, emphasizing the need for Israel to modify its military approach. The objective was to avoid indiscriminate air strikes that risked civilian casualties and instead focus on specific targets associated with Hamas.
Furthermore, a tragic incident occurred earlier in the day when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) mistakenly identified three hostages as a threat and fatally shot them in the Gaza Strip's Shejaiya district. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the incident as an "unbearable tragedy," prompting a massive protest in Tel Aviv's Kaplan Junction.
As the conflict persists, the death toll in Gaza from the Israel-Hamas war has surged to 18,787, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which also reported 50,897 individuals injured in the ongoing hostilities. The situation remains complex and continues to draw international attention due to the significant humanitarian impact on the civilian population.
