Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, including women and children, according to Palestinian medical officials. One strike hit a school that was being used as a shelter in Gaza City, killing six people, including two local journalists, a pregnant woman, and a child. The Israeli army claimed the strike targeted a militant from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group.
Another strike hit a tent in Khan Younis, where displaced people were seeking shelter, resulting in the deaths of seven people, including two women and a child. The Israeli army did not immediately comment on this incident.
In a positive development, the Israeli military body responsible for humanitarian aid to Gaza, COGAT, announced that 11 aid trucks carrying food, water, and medical supplies reached the far north of the enclave. This delivery included the urban refugee camp at Jabaliya, marking the first time aid has reached this area since the recent military campaign began.
However, not all the aid reached its intended destination, as Israeli troops stopped one convoy bound for Beit Lahiya and ordered the supplies to be offloaded. This comes ahead of a U.S. deadline for Israel to improve aid deliveries across Gaza, with concerns of an imminent famine in parts of northern Gaza.
The recent Israeli offensive has focused on densely populated areas like Jabaliya, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun, where Hamas is said to have regrouped. The U.N. estimates that tens of thousands of people in these areas remain in need of assistance.
Since the conflict began, the Israeli army has targeted schools and tent camps where Palestinians displaced by the offensives were seeking refuge. The military accuses Hamas of using civilian infrastructure for military purposes, leading to a high number of civilian casualties.
Overall, the Israel-Hamas war has resulted in a significant loss of life, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 43,000 deaths. The conflict, which started in October 2023, has taken a heavy toll on civilians, with women and children accounting for more than half of the casualties.
As the situation in Gaza remains dire, efforts to provide humanitarian aid and alleviate the suffering of the population are crucial. The international community, including the U.S., plays a vital role in ensuring that aid reaches those in need and that steps are taken to prevent further loss of life in the region.
