Palestinians walk at the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, October 1, 2024. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed
Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Result in Multiple Fatalities
On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 37 people, according to local medical sources, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas intensified. The Israeli military confirmed it was targeting command centers allegedly used by Hamas, the Islamist militant group.
Strikes on Civilian Areas
Palestinian health officials reported that 13 individuals, including women and children, were killed in two separate Israeli airstrikes on residential homes in Nuseirat, one of Gaza’s eight refugee camps. The Israeli army has not yet commented on these specific incidents.
Another airstrike hit a school in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City, which was sheltering displaced Palestinian families. Medics stated that at least seven people were killed in the attack. The Israeli military later issued a statement claiming that the strike targeted Hamas militants operating from a command center located within a compound that had formerly been Al-Shejaia School. Israel has accused Hamas of using civilian areas and infrastructure for military purposes, a claim that Hamas denies.
Additional Strikes and Casualties
Further Israeli airstrikes occurred later in the day. In Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, five Palestinians were killed in two separate strikes. In Khan Younis, also in the southern region of Gaza, six people lost their lives when an airstrike targeted a tent housing displaced individuals. A later strike on a car in western Khan Younis killed six more Palestinians. Footage of the incident circulated on social media, showing a severely damaged and burned vehicle, though its authenticity could not be immediately verified by Reuters.
Palestinian Militants Respond
In response, the armed factions of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other smaller militant groups issued separate statements claiming their fighters had attacked Israeli forces in several areas of Gaza. These attacks reportedly included anti-tank rockets, mortar fire, and explosive devices.
Ground Operation in Lebanon Escalates Regional Conflict
While the conflict in Gaza continues, Israel has expanded its military operations into Lebanon, with Israeli paratroopers and commandos engaging in intense combat against Hezbollah forces, which are backed by Iran. This escalation follows Israeli airstrikes that targeted Hezbollah’s leadership.
Impact on the Broader Middle East Conflict
The incursion into Lebanon signals a potential widening of the conflict in the Middle East, with increasing tensions between Israel and Iran-backed militant groups. There are concerns that the ongoing clashes could draw in additional international actors, including the United States and Iran.
Hezbollah began launching rockets into Israel approximately one year ago, in support of Hamas during its war with Israel. The conflict in Gaza began following a Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, which Israel says resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of over 250 hostages. Since then, Israeli airstrikes have devastated Gaza, leading to the displacement of a majority of its 2.3 million residents and causing the deaths of over 41,600 individuals, according to Gaza health authorities.
Fear of Prolonged Conflict
Some Palestinians expressed concerns that Israel’s focus on Lebanon could prolong the conflict in Gaza. Samir Mohammed, a resident of Gaza City, voiced his fears about the continuation of violence, stating, “The eyes of the world now are 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.”
Mohammed further emphasized the uncertainty of the situation, noting Israel’s broader military actions across multiple regions, including Yemen and Syria. “It is all unclear now as Israel unleashes its force undeterred in Gaza, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and God knows where else in the future,” he said in a message shared through a chat application.
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