In a tragic escalation of violence, at least 24 Palestinians lost their lives during two Israeli air strikes overnight, including an attack on Fahmi Al-Jargawi School in Gaza City that was sheltering displaced families, as confirmed by local medics and civil defense officials.
The school, which housed hundreds fleeing Beit Lahia amid heavy assaults, was the site of a devastating fire. A spokesperson from the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency reported that at least 20 bodies, including children, were retrieved from the school, many with severe burn injuries after flames engulfed makeshift living quarters.
A resident, Rami Rafiq, described the horrifying aftermath, stating, “Flames were everywhere. I saw charred bodies lying on the ground,” as graphic images of the destruction circulated online.
Additionally, a prior air strike aimed at a home in central Gaza City resulted in four more deaths, as reported by the health ministry; among those killed was Mohammad Al-Kasih, a local police chief, alongside his family.
This surge in violence is part of a larger Israeli military offensive that began after Hamas’s October 7 attack, which resulted in numerous casualties, including over 53,939 deaths in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry. As international calls for a ceasefire grow stronger, the Red Cross highlighted the tragic death of two of its staff members during the conflict.
Meanwhile, discussions for humanitarian solutions are underway in Madrid, amid ongoing critiques of Israel’s military strategy and humanitarian blockade.
Source: www.bbc.com
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