Israeli Bombardment Claims At Least 21 Lives in Gaza Amid Ongoing Fighting – Reuters

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

Cairo – Israeli airstrikes claimed the lives of at least 21 individuals in Gaza on Tuesday, according to local medical sources, as confrontations intensified. The Israeli military stated that its focus was on command centers utilized by Hamas, its Islamist adversary.

Palestinian health officials reported that a minimum of 13 people, including women and children, lost their lives in two airstrikes targeting residences in Nuseirat, one of Gaza’s historic refugee camps. There has been no immediate response from the Israeli military regarding these strikes.

Additionally, an airstrike on a school that was providing shelter for displaced Palestinian families in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City resulted in at least seven fatalities, as confirmed by medical sources. In its statement, the Israeli military indicated that the strike was aimed at Hamas militants operating from a command center located within a facility that had previously been an educational institution.

Israel accused Hamas of using civilians and civilian infrastructure for military aims, a charge that Hamas has denied.

The armed factions of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other smaller militant groups reported that their fighters engaged Israeli forces across various regions in Gaza, utilizing anti-tank rockets, mortar fire, and explosive devices.

The escalation of violence in Gaza coincides with Israel’s initiation of a ground operation in Lebanon, where its troops have reportedly been engaged in significant combat with Iran-backed Hezbollah. This recent conflict follows extensive Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s leadership.

The operation in Lebanon marks a heightened state of conflict in the Middle East, specifically between Israel and Iran-backed militants, with the potential for U.S. involvement as tensions rise.

Almost a year ago, Hezbollah began launching rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas during the ongoing war in Gaza, which ignited after Hamas carried out a deadly attack on October 7, resulting in significant Israeli casualties and hostages. Israel claims that around 1,200 people were killed during this assault, which has since led to extensive devastation in Gaza, where more than 41,600 individuals have reportedly lost their lives, and a large percentage of its 2.3 million residents have been displaced.

Concerns have emerged among some Palestinians regarding Israel’s renewed focus on Lebanon, which they fear may extend the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as the war approaches its first anniversary.

"The eyes of the world are now on Lebanon while the occupation continues its killing in Gaza. We are afraid the war is going to go on for more months at least," stated Samir Mohammed, a 46-year-old father of five from Gaza City. He expressed uncertainty about the situation as Israel continues its military actions across multiple regions.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi. Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta; Editing by Sharon Singleton)