On Sunday, the Israeli strike killed at least seven in Kafr Qasem School in Gaza City, including Majed Saleh, who is the director of the Hamas-run Public Works and Housing Ministry. According to reports, the strike was around 11 a.m. (0800 GMT) and was directed at militants accused of using the school as a base.
Israeli Military’s Rationalization
The Israeli military reported that its air attack hit militants of Hamas, while claiming it had been careful enough to avoid civilian casualties through airborne surveillance and other precautions. Hamas dismissed such claims of using civilian infrastructure as armed positions.General Background of Violence
The attack comes within the context of rising violence-the third in a week-in which more airstrikes were reported across Gaza. According to health officials, 16 Palestinians were killed on Sunday alone. Israeli-Hezbollah tensions have been smoldering, and many fear that the wider unrest could follow.Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Israeli tanks have rolled into Rafah near the border with Egypt; the military has been in the area since May. According to the Israelis, they have killed hundreds of militants and destroyed much of the military infrastructure. During the fighting, Gaza’s health ministry threatened that its hospitals could shut down in 10 days unless its stores of essential supplies are replenished.Heavy downpour made matters worse when it came to relief, overflooding makeshift tent encampments. Desperate residents say what the country needs is a stop to the war and not bandaids.
Current Conflict Background
The war, which started immediately after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, has resulted in heavy casualties; almost 41,300 Palestinians are reported to have been killed, and nearly the population of Gaza is displaced.
