The civil defense agency in Gaza reported that Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 30 individuals throughout the day in Jabalia town and its refugee camp, amid fierce military operations by the Israeli army in the region.
Spokesman Mahmud Bassal confirmed that a strike occurring before 9:40 PM local time (6:40 PM Irish time) resulted in “12 fatalities, including women and children” in the town.
Mr. Bassal mentioned that 14 individuals remain unaccounted for and are likely trapped beneath the debris.
Prior to this tragedy, Ahmad al-Kahlut, the director of the agency in northern Gaza, reported that 18 people had lost their lives due to multiple strikes, including assaults on “eight schools” in the camp that were being used as shelters for those displaced.
Last weekend, the Israeli army declared that it had encircled the Jabalia area and issued evacuation orders, while analysts indicated that Hamas appeared to be regrouping there, despite ongoing strikes and intense combat for the past year.
Significant portions of Gaza have been devastated since Israel commenced its retaliatory military campaign against the Palestinian territory following the Hamas attack on Israel that ignited the war on October 7, 2023.
Israel has relentlessly bombarded the Palestinian territory via land, air, and sea in its efforts to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group, displacing nearly the entire civilian population of 2.4 million people at least once over the past year.
