32 killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s Jabalia, humanitarian toll rises
An Israeli airstrike hit a residential building in Jabalia, located in northern Gaza, early on Sunday, killing at least 32 people and injuring dozens more, according to Palestinian medical sources.
The attack, which occurred at dawn, targeted a house reportedly housing around 30 people. While the Palestinian Ministry of Health has not officially confirmed the death toll, figures from the official Palestinian news agency WAFA and Hamas media report at least 32 fatalities.
Social media footage, which Reuters has not independently verified, depicted several bodies wrapped in blankets and laid out at a local hospital. The Civil Emergency Service in Gaza indicated that their operations have been disrupted by the ongoing Israeli military raids in northern Gaza, making it difficult to assess the full scale of the damage and casualties.
Israeli Military Operations in Northern Gaza
This airstrike is part of Israel’s broader military campaign against Hamas militants in northern Gaza. Since October 5, 2024, Israeli forces have intensified their offensive in the region, focusing on towns such as Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun. Israel claims that the objective is to disrupt Hamas operations and prevent the group from launching further attacks. In this context, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) assert that hundreds of Hamas militants have been killed during operations in these areas.
In another attack on Gaza City, an Israeli airstrike killed Wael Al-Khour, a senior official at Gaza’s Ministry of Social Affairs, along with seven members of his family, including his wife and children. The IDF has stated that it is reviewing reports on both the Jabalia and Gaza City strikes, but no formal response regarding the civilian deaths has been issued.
Humanitarian Impact and Strain on Emergency Services
The humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict continues to mount. Gaza’s emergency services, already stretched thin due to the ongoing hostilities, have been unable to fully operate in areas affected by Israeli airstrikes. The Civil Emergency Service confirmed that its operations in the northern regions have been suspended as a result of the Israeli raids, exacerbating the difficulty in delivering aid and medical support to the wounded.
According to Palestinian health officials, approximately 43,500 Palestinians have lost their lives since the escalation of the conflict in October 2023. The destruction of vital infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, further worsens the living conditions for civilians in Gaza.
Diplomatic Efforts and Stalled Ceasefire Talks
International efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have so far failed to yield results. Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. have been mediating negotiations, but these efforts are increasingly stalled. Qatar’s foreign ministry announced on Saturday that it would suspend its diplomatic efforts until both sides show a "willingness and seriousness" to resume talks.
Both Hamas and Israel remain entrenched in their positions. Hamas demands an end to the military operations and a prisoner-for-hostage swap, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that the war will only cease once Hamas is fully eradicated as a threat.
The Escalating Toll of the Conflict
The violence began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israeli communities, killing approximately 1,200 Israelis and taking 253 hostages. In retaliation, Israel launched its military campaign against Gaza, leading to widespread destruction. The casualties on both sides continue to rise, with Israel’s airstrikes causing extensive damage to Gaza's infrastructure.
As diplomatic efforts falter and military operations intensify, there are increasing concerns about the potential for a protracted conflict with devastating consequences for civilians. The prospects for peace remain uncertain, with no clear path to de-escalation in sight.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
