Casualties Reported in Gaza City Airstrikes
At least 11 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed and dozens more wounded in Israeli air strikes across Gaza City, according to medical sources and eyewitness accounts.
Early on Thursday, simultaneous strikes were carried out by at least three Israeli helicopters targeting four residential buildings in the Sheikh Radwan and Tel al-Hawa neighborhoods, as well as the Shati refugee camp. These attacks caused powerful explosions, as reported to the BBC.
Videos shared on social media, purportedly showing the aftermath of the strikes, depicted distressing scenes of people attempting to evacuate a building engulfed in flames in the Shati camp.
Israeli Military Identifies Targeted Hamas Officials
The Israeli military stated that the strikes resulted in the deaths of four senior members of Hamas's General Security Apparatus. They identified the individuals as Hassan Labad, deputy head of the apparatus, along with three subordinates: Asim Shubair, Abdullah Abu Kaloub, and Mohammed Abu Marq.
Local sources reported that one of the strikes specifically targeted Labad, who was killed along with his wife and three of their children.
A spokesman for the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency confirmed that among the deceased were two children with disabilities from the Labad family and three women.
Context of Ongoing Conflict and Ceasefire Violations
Israel has conducted repeated air strikes in Gaza despite a US-brokered ceasefire agreement, accusing Hamas of rearming and rebuilding its forces.
Since the ceasefire took effect last October, more than 940 people have been killed according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
Meanwhile, with global attention focused on other conflicts in the Middle East, the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The humanitarian crisis worsens amid reports that Israel plans to expand the area of land under its control to 70%.
Background of the Gaza Conflict
The Gaza war was initiated by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken.
In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, during which more than 72,950 people have been killed, according to the territory's health ministry.
