Three separate Israeli airstrikes killed at the very least 16 individuals, together with ladies and kids, in Gaza on Saturday, Palestinian medical officers stated.
The strikes got here as Israel introduced the primary supply of help in weeks to the war-battered northern Gaza.
One of many strikes hit a school-turned-shelter in Gaza Metropolis’s jap Tufah neighbourhood, killing at the very least six individuals, Gaza’s Well being Ministry stated. Two native journalists, a pregnant girl and a baby had been among the many lifeless, the ministry stated. The Israeli military stated the strike focused a militant belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group, providing no proof or additional element.
One other seven individuals had been killed when an Israeli strike hit a tent within the southern metropolis of Khan Younis the place displaced individuals had been sheltering, in response to Nasser Hospital. It stated the lifeless included two ladies and a baby. The Israeli military didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark in regards to the blast.
COGAT, the Israeli navy physique answerable for humanitarian help to Gaza, stated on Saturday that 11 help vans containing meals, water and medical tools reached the far north of the enclave, together with the city refugee camp at Jabaliya. It’s the first time any help has reached the far north of the enclave since Israel started a recent navy marketing campaign there final month.
The announcement comes days a forward of a U.S. deadline demanding that Israel enhance help deliveries throughout Gaza. Specialists have stated there’s a sturdy chance that famine is imminent in components of northern Gaza.
Israel’s new offensive has centered on Jabaliya, a densely populated refugee camp the place Israel says Hamas had regrouped. Different areas affected by the brand new marketing campaign embrace Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, located simply north of Gaza Metropolis.
The U.N. estimates that tens of hundreds of individuals stay within the space. Earlier this week, the Gaza Well being Ministry stated that there have been no ambulances or emergency crews at the moment working north of Gaza Metropolis.
For the reason that outbreak of the Israel-Hamas warfare, the Israeli military has struck a number of faculties and tent camps, full of tens of hundreds of Palestinians pushed from their houses by Israeli offensives and evacuation orders. The battle has left 90% of Palestinians in Gaza displaced, in response to U.N. figures.
The navy has frequently accused Hamas of working from inside civilian infrastructure in Gaza, together with faculties, U.N. services and hospitals. The contesting narratives over using faculties and hospitals go to the center of the battle.
In July, Israeli airstrikes hit a women’ faculty in Gaza’s central metropolis of Deir al-Balah, killing at the very least 30 individuals sheltering inside. Israel’s navy stated it focused a Hamas command centre used to direct assaults in opposition to its troops and retailer “massive portions of weapons.”
Greater than a 12 months of Israel’s warfare in opposition to Hamas in Gaza has killed greater than 43,000 individuals, Palestinian well being officers say. They don’t distinguish between civilians and combatants, however say greater than half of these killed had been ladies and kids. The warfare started after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 individuals — largely civilians — and abducting 250 others.
