Gaza Airstrikes Kill Dozens, Raising Concerns Over Civilian Casualties
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have claimed the lives of at least 54 Palestinians, according to media reports, sparking renewed international outrage over the escalating conflict. The attacks have targeted multiple locations, including a designated humanitarian zone, raising serious questions about the targeting of civilians.
Eleven Palestinians, including women and children, perished in a single strike on the Al-Mawasi district, a designated safe zone for displaced families. This area was previously declared a humanitarian zone, further highlighting the severity of the situation. “By committing the crime of assassinating the director general of police in the Gaza Strip, the occupation is insisting on spreading chaos in the (enclave) and deepening the human suffering of citizens,” stated the Hamas-run Gaza interior ministry in a statement.
The Israeli military confirmed an intelligence-based strike in Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis, stating that they eliminated Hussam Shahwan, identified as the head of Hamas security forces in southern Gaza. The military’s statement,however,made no mention of the death of Mahmoud Salah,the Director General of Gaza’s police department,also killed in the same strike,according to the Gaza interior ministry.
Additional airstrikes killed at least 43 more Palestinians, with six fatalities reported at the interior ministry headquarters in Khan Younis and others in Jabalia, Shati, and Maghazi refugee camps. Israel maintains that it targeted Hamas militants in a command and control center “embedded inside the Khan younis municipality building in the Humanitarian Area,” but the high civilian death toll continues to fuel international condemnation.
“As the year begins, we got reports of yet another attack on Al-Mawasi with dozens of people killed, another reminder that there is no humanitarian zone let alone a safe zone (in Gaza),” said Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees. “Everyday without a ceasefire will bring more tragedy.”
When questioned about the reported death toll, an Israeli military spokesperson stated that their actions adhered to international law and that they took “feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm.” This assertion, however, is being challenged by numerous human rights organizations and international bodies.
Further airstrikes in Gaza City resulted in at least six additional deaths, four on Jala Street and two in the Zeitoun district, according to medical personnel. The Israeli military has accused Hamas of using residential areas as cover,a claim denied by the militant group. Hamas’ ally, Islamic Jihad, reported launching rockets into southern Israel, targeting the kibbutz of Holit. The Israeli military confirmed intercepting one projectile.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 45,500 Palestinians since its commencement, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced, and much of the territory lies in ruins. The conflict began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023, cross-border attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the taking of 251 hostages to Gaza, according to Israeli figures.
The situation in Gaza remains extremely volatile, with the high number of civilian casualties raising serious concerns about the humanitarian crisis and the need for an immediate ceasefire.
