Grieving families gather beside the bodies of Palestinians killed in an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza on March 15. CNN
At least nine people lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, marking the deadliest attack since a ceasefire took effect in January. Several others suffered injuries, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
A UK-based charity stated that most of the victims were aid workers. Hamas condemned the attack, calling it a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement.
The Israeli military claimed that the strike targeted six "terrorists" operating a drone. Among them was a person allegedly involved in the Hamas-led attack on October 7, according to an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) statement.
Aid Workers Among the Victims
The Al-Khair Foundation, a UK-registered humanitarian organization, confirmed that eight of its aid workers were killed in the attack. The charity’s founder, Qasim Rashid Ahmad, expressed sorrow in a statement, calling it a “very sad day” for humanitarian workers worldwide.
“Another attack has struck aid workers while they were delivering assistance,” Ahmad said. He emphasized that the victims were involved in humanitarian work, including volunteers, cameramen, and journalists, and denied any terrorist connections.
Hamas Calls It a “Massacre”
Hamas accused Israel of committing a “horrific massacre” against humanitarian workers. Ismail Thawabta, Hamas’ Government Media Office director, condemned the attack, calling it a clear violation of international law.
“The targeting of unarmed civilians, especially those providing aid, is unacceptable,” Thawabta stated.
The IDF, however, defended its actions, saying the strike targeted individuals who were operating a drone that posed a risk to Israeli forces. The military also claimed that some of those killed used their journalist status as cover for militant activities.
Eyewitnesses Describe the Chaos
Witnesses on the ground described the destruction and the desperate efforts to rescue the injured.
Mahmoud Louay Atiya, who was near the scene, said he used water bottles to put out the fire caused by the explosion.
“I pulled out two people—one was already dead, and the other was injured but still alive. There were no ambulances or fire trucks,” he said.
Another grieving father said his 17-year-old son was killed in the strike.
“He wasn’t part of Hamas or the resistance. He was just working at one of the camps when I got the news that he had been killed,” he shared.
Tensions Rise Amid Ceasefire Talks
Despite the ceasefire, Israeli military operations in Gaza have continued, with the IDF saying they are responding to security threats and Hamas violations.
The attack comes just as the United States proposed a deal to extend the ceasefire by a month in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas. The proposal also includes lifting Israel’s blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has lasted nearly two weeks.
Hamas said it had responded to the proposal and approved the release of a captured American-Israeli soldier and the bodies of four other hostages.
