Gaza City, Palestine – In yet another tragic day for Gaza, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 20 Palestinians, including children, after targeting a crowded market and a school sheltering displaced people. The attacks took place on Tuesday, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Market Attack in Deir al-Balah
The first airstrike hit a busy market in Deir al-Balah, located in central Gaza. At least eight Palestinians lost their lives in the attack, according to local reports. The market, usually bustling with activity, turned into a scene of chaos as people scrambled for safety. Emergency responders rushed to the site, fearing that the death toll could rise as they continue to search through the rubble.
Among the injured were several children, many of whom were taken to the nearby Al-Aqsa Hospital. Medical staff there are struggling to manage the influx of wounded, with at least 10 people, including children, in critical condition.
School Bombing in Gaza City
Just hours before the market was bombed, Israeli forces targeted a school in the west of Gaza City, where hundreds of displaced Palestinians had sought refuge. The attack on the Mustafa Hafiz school resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people. The school building collapsed under the force of the blast, burying many of the victims beneath the rubble.
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Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to pull survivors from the debris. “Our crews retrieved 12 martyrs from the Mustafa Hafiz school, which was bombed by the Israeli occupation west of Gaza City,” said Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defense agency. The injured were rushed to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, where doctors are overwhelmed with the number of casualties.
The school was sheltering around 700 displaced Palestinians at the time of the attack, according to local authorities. The Israeli military claimed that the school was being used as a command center by Palestinian fighters, though no evidence has been provided to support this claim.
Rising Casualties and Humanitarian Crisis
Tuesday’s attacks have added to the already staggering death toll in Gaza. Since the conflict escalated on October 7, more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, with the vast majority being women and children. Another 92,857 people have been injured, overwhelming Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system.
Hospitals across Gaza are on the brink of collapse as they struggle to cope with the constant flow of injured civilians. Medical supplies are running low, and doctors are working around the clock to treat the wounded. The destruction of civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and markets, has made life increasingly difficult for the people of Gaza.
Calls for Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Violence
The international community has repeatedly called for an end to the violence in Gaza. The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, but the situation remains volatile. Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire have been challenging, with both Hamas and Israel unable to agree on terms.
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Egypt and Qatar as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire. However, Hamas has accused the United States of favoring Israel in the negotiations, claiming that the terms of the proposed ceasefire are biased. According to senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan, the U.S. proposal suggests a temporary six-week ceasefire, which Hamas views as insufficient.
The Path Forward
As the violence in Gaza continues, the need for a peaceful resolution is more urgent than ever. The recent attacks on a market and a school highlight the devastating human cost of the conflict, with innocent civilians paying the highest price.
For the people of Gaza, daily life has become a struggle for survival. The destruction of their homes, schools, and places of work has left them with few options. The international community must take stronger action to protect civilian lives and work towards a lasting peace that addresses the root causes of the conflict.
In the meantime, Gaza’s residents continue to endure unimaginable hardships, hoping for an end to the violence and the chance to rebuild their lives in peace.
