Israeli Strikes Across Gaza Kill Over 50, Including Women, Children, and Aid Workers
More than 50 people were killed on Sunday in Israeli air and ground strikes across Gaza, according to local medics and rescue workers. Among the dead were children, a journalist from Al Jazeera, and personnel from Gaza’s Civil Defence agency, highlighting the continued devastation of the 14-month-long conflict.
The Hamas-run health ministry announced the death toll, stating that over 45,000 Palestinians had been killed since the war began on October 7, 2023. While the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, it had previously reported in October that nearly 30,000 women, children, and elderly were among the fatalities.
The Israeli military confirmed targeting Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad sites, claiming its strikes focused on terrorists embedded within civilian infrastructure.
Deadly Strike on UN-Run School Shelter in Khan Younis
In Khan Younis, southern Gaza, Israeli strikes hit a UN-run school sheltering displaced families. According to medics, at least 13 people were killed, while reports suggest the number of casualties may be closer to 20. Witnesses described horrific scenes of children’s bodies being pulled from the rubble.
Louise Wateridge, a spokeswoman for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa), spoke to the BBC from central Gaza. “It’s relentless. The pain and suffering just don’t stop,” she said.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) defended the strike, claiming it had precisely targeted a Hamas command-and-control center operating from within the school. Israel accused Hamas of using civilian shelters as human shields.
Meanwhile, in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, medics reported further casualties after strikes on another school-turned-shelter, which has been under Israeli siege for months. The UN expressed concern for over 1,500 newly displaced people following the assault on the Khalil Aweida school.
The IDF claimed the attack was part of a “targeted raid” on a terrorist meeting point, where dozens of militants were allegedly killed or apprehended.
Journalist and Civil Defence Workers Killed in Nuseirat Refugee Camp
Central Gaza saw another deadly incident when an Israeli strike hit a Civil Defence building in the densely packed Nuseirat refugee camp. Among those killed were two senior Civil Defence officials, volunteers, and Ahmad Baker al-Louh, a cameraman for Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera condemned what it called the “targeted killing” of its journalist, accusing Israel of violating international humanitarian laws. The Qatar-based network reported that Louh was covering a rescue operation after an earlier strike when the attack occurred.
Israel, however, claimed the building was being used to plan an imminent terror attack. The IDF identified Ahmad Baker al-Louh as a member of the Islamic Jihad, though no evidence was provided to substantiate the claim. Louh’s cousin, Mahmoud, rejected the allegations, calling them “lies to cover up a crime.”
The Committee to Protect Journalists says at least 137 journalists have been killed in the region since the war began, making it one of the deadliest conflicts for media workers in recent history.
Background on the War
The war erupted after Hamas-led militants carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, the conflict has escalated, with Gaza’s civilian population bearing the brunt of the destruction.
With no end in sight, calls for ceasefires and humanitarian aid access continue to grow as both sides trade accusations over the devastating toll.
