Escalating Violence: Israeli Strikes Claim 51 Lives in Southern Gaza
Israeli airstrikes and a ground operation in the Khan Younis region of southern Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 51 individuals, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry. The attacks occurred during the night, with tanks advancing into various neighborhoods and residents reporting intense gunfire and heavy shelling.
Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene, with one injured man recounting to the BBC how "tanks stormed in" without warning. In a separate incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they targeted Hamas positions located within schools that were sheltering displaced civilians in central and northern Gaza. Reports indicate that these strikes led to civilian casualties, including at least nine deaths at Muscat School in Gaza City and several fatalities at the Al-Amal Institute for Orphans.
The Al-Amal Institute reported on social media that eight people were killed and many others injured, including women and children, when an Israeli strike hit its facility, which was housing hundreds of displaced individuals. Additionally, Gaza's Civil Defence officials reported that three people were killed and 15 injured due to an attack on Nuseirat Girls' School.
These military actions come on the heels of Israel's recent interception of missiles from Iran and a ground invasion into Lebanon, which Israel describes as a "limited" operation targeting Hezbollah. The IDF has not yet commented on the specific strikes in southern Gaza, which reportedly took place early Wednesday morning.
Residents from Qizan al-Najjar village, located southeast of Khan Younis, shared harrowing accounts of the assault. One man described how tanks and drones directly targeted his community, resulting in injuries and fatalities among his family members. Another survivor recounted the suddenness of the attack, stating there was no prior warning before shells began to fall.
The health ministry has warned that the death toll may rise further, with an additional 82 people reported injured following the strikes. The IDF has conducted multiple ground operations targeting Hamas fighters in Khan Younis since December 2023. This ongoing conflict began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and numerous hostages taken. In retaliation, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has reportedly led to over 41,689 Palestinian fatalities according to health ministry statistics.
As tensions escalate across the region, international observers continue to call for de-escalation amid fears of a broader conflict involving Iran and its affiliated groups.