The Daily Star Ireland
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza overnight and this morning have resulted in the deaths of at least 32 Palestinians, with the majority of casualties reported in northern Gaza. Among those killed, seven died in an Israeli attack on a house in central Gaza City, according to the Gaza Civil Defense and the official Palestinian news agency, WAFA.
In another incident, three aid workers from World Central Kitchen, a U.S.-based charity, were killed in an Israeli airstrike. The Israeli military claimed it targeted a “terrorist” in the strike, referring to an individual involved in the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023. The Israeli army stated it is investigating claims that the “terrorist” was also a World Central Kitchen employee.
The Palestinian Civil Defense reported that the three aid workers were in a marked World Central Kitchen vehicle when they were hit in Khan Yunis. The Israeli military, however, insisted that the vehicle struck was not marked as an aid vehicle and that its movement had not been coordinated for the transport of aid.
In April, an Israeli strike also killed seven World Central Kitchen staff members. Israel initially claimed the target was a Hamas gunman but later admitted to errors in its engagement rules.
Meanwhile, Hamas officials are scheduled to meet in Cairo today to discuss a possible ceasefire and a prisoner exchange agreement, according to a Palestinian militant group spokesperson. This comes two days after a ceasefire was reached between Israel and Hezbollah, a group aligned with Hamas. Additionally, the United States, along with Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt, is working on diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages captured during the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas.
The October 7 attack on Israel resulted in 1,207 deaths, primarily civilians, while Israel’s military retaliation has claimed 44,363 lives in Gaza. Approximately 251 hostages were taken by Hamas, with 97 still believed to be held in Gaza.
The only ceasefire so far occurred in November 2023, leading to the release of about 100 hostages by Hamas in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. However, multiple diplomatic efforts led by the United States and other countries have failed to secure a lasting ceasefire.
Recent Israeli airstrikes have continued to claim lives, with 40 Palestinians killed in Gaza yesterday alone. Among the victims, 19 bodies were recovered from the Nuseirat refugee camp, and an airstrike killed at least ten in a house in Beit Lahiya, located in northern Gaza. Other fatalities were reported in both northern and southern Gaza.
In northern Gaza, Israeli tanks had entered parts of the Nuseirat camp on Thursday, later withdrawing from some areas but remaining active in others. Civil emergency teams were unable to respond to distress calls from residents due to ongoing military activity.
Further casualties include the death of Ahmed Al-Kahlout, head of the ICU at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, from an Israeli drone strike. The hospital, like many others in the region, is struggling to operate due to shortages of supplies and personnel.
In the West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon to force people out of northern Gaza. The Israeli army, operating in areas like Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, and Jabalia since October 5, has stated that its goal is to prevent Hamas from regrouping and launching further attacks. Residents, however, claim the Israeli forces are systematically depopulating these areas, including the Jabalia refugee camp.
