Israeli warplanes launched an early Saturday airstrike on a densely populated neighborhood of Gaza City, killing at least 20 and wounding many others according to Palestinian health officials and residents. It marked one of the deadliest attacks against civilians this conflict has yet unleashed.
Strikes were directed against Shujaiya district of eastern Gaza City, an area already devastated by months of fighting and displacement. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos with buildings collapsing, rescue workers scrambling through rubble to search for missing family members, and panicked residents searching for loved ones lost during an explosion.
Mahmoud Issa, a volunteer with Gaza’s civil defense force said they uncovered entire families buried beneath the debris, including children, women and elders — all civilians who had been victims of what appeared to be an atrocious massacre.
Gaza’s Health Ministry confirmed that at least 20 bodies had been recovered so far, along with 45 injured who are in critical condition, raising fears that death toll may further rise.
Israeli military officials attributed their airstrikes to being directed at what it termed as “Hamas command and control centers” embedded within civilian infrastructure, according to statements released by Israel Defense Forces (IDF). IDF stated this building was being used by Hamas terrorists for planning and coordinating attacks against Israeli troops operating in northern and central Gaza.
“The IDF takes all necessary measures to avoid civilian harm, yet Hamas continues exploiting civilian areas for military use, placing innocent lives at risk,” according to their statement.
Palestinian officials and human rights organizations have strongly refuted Israeli claims, accusing it of targeted bombing and collective punishment. The Palestinian Authority condemned this attack as another war crime among many others committed against it and called upon international groups to intervene immediately.
“The world must not remain silent while civilians are targeted with bombings in their own homes,” stated Palestinian lawmaker Dr. Mustafa Barghouti. “This isn’t self-defense; this is deliberate destruction.”
OCHA expressed deep alarm at the rising civilian death toll and repeated its call for an immediate ceasefire and protection of noncombatants.
Saturday’s airstrikes come amid Israel’s wider military campaign in response to rocket fire from Gaza and cross-border attacks. Since October 2023 when hostilities started, an estimated 38,000 Palestinians have died – most likely women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
As Gaza’s infrastructure collapses and hospitals fill with casualties, aid organizations warn that the humanitarian crisis has reached unprecedented heights. Many residents remain trapped under bombardment with no access to food, water or medical care – leaving many residents vulnerable and living under siege without adequate supplies of sustenance and medicine.
Civilians in Gaza continue to bear the brunt of an ongoing conflict that shows no sign of abating.