At least 33 people, including 21 women, were killed when Israeli warplanes struck a refugee camp in northern Gaza on Friday, authorities in Gaza said. The Jabalia camp is a densely populated area that has been under siege by Israeli forces for weeks. The airstrike destroyed three adjacent homes inhabited by families. More than 85 others were wounded and buried under the rubble, and the death toll may increase to 50, according to local reports.
That’s less than a week since the reported assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and many are speculating that the conflict may soon come to an end. In a relatively suprising reaction, Hamas deputy leader Khalil al-Hayya said his views-that the group will continue resisting, and Sinwar’s death will not be weakening Hamas.
Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues in Lebanon, where Israeli forces report killing 60 Hezbollah fighters and destroying a regional command center. US President Joe Biden said a ceasefire in Lebanon is now possible, but much more difficult in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the situation inside Jabalia camp is dire. It’s said that about 400,000 are suffering from acute shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. Israel says it allowed about 30 trucks of humanitarian supplies into northern Gaza Friday, but many affected areas, including Jabalia, have yet to receive them.
UN humanitarian officials sounded an alarm about the situation, describing conditions at the camp as “atrocious.” Hospital facilities were overwhelmed such that many of the wounded were being treated on the floor because there was inadequate space.
