A Palestinian stands at the site of Israeli strikes on houses, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Gaza City, June 22, 2024. REUTERS/Ayman Al HassiĀ
At least 42 individuals were killed in Israeli airstrikes on northern districts of Gaza City on Saturday, according to the director of the Hamas-run government media office. One particular strike on residences in Al-Shati, one of the eight historic refugee camps in the Gaza Strip, resulted in 24 fatalities, as reported by Ismail Al-Thawabta to Reuters. An additional 18 Palestinians lost their lives in an attack on homes in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood.
The Israeli military issued a brief statement confirming that IDF fighter jets had targeted two Hamas military infrastructure sites in Gaza City. The statement noted that more details would be forthcoming.
Hamas did not respond to the Israeli assertion that military infrastructure had been targeted. However, it stated that the strikes were directed at the civilian population and declared that “the occupation and its Nazi leaders will pay the price for their violations against our people.” Footage obtained by Reuters depicted numerous Palestinians searching for victims amidst the destroyed buildings. The visuals showed demolished homes, shattered walls, and streets filled with debris and dust in the Shati refugee camp.
The Israeli ground and air campaign in Gaza commenced following an incursion by Hamas-led militants into southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages being taken, according to Israeli figures. The ongoing conflict has caused extensive destruction in Gaza, resulting in more than 37,400 deaths, including 101 fatalities in the past 24 hours, as reported by Palestinian health authorities. Nearly the entire population has been rendered homeless and destitute.
After more than eight months of conflict, Israel’s military efforts are now concentrated on the last two areas yet to be secured: Rafah on Gaza’s southern edge and the region surrounding Deir al-Balah in the center. Residents reported an intensified Israeli tank incursion into the western and northern areas of Rafah in recent days. On Saturday, Israeli forces conducted both aerial and ground bombings, prompting many families in humanitarian-designated zones to move northwards.
The Israeli military stated that its operations in Rafah were “precise, intelligence-based” and focused on targeting Palestinian militants and dismantling military infrastructure. On Friday, the Gaza health ministry reported at least 25 Palestinian fatalities and 50 injuries in Mawasi, located in western Rafah, due to a tank shell hitting a tent housing displaced families.
The Israeli military announced that the incident was under investigation. An initial inquiry suggested that there was no indication of an IDF strike in the humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi.
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