Rubble pictured in a separate area of central Gaza on Sunday
At least 24 Palestinians have died following a series of overnight Israeli air strikes in Gaza. The attacks, part of Israel’s ongoing military campaign, have intensified across the region.
School Becomes Scene of Tragedy
One of the deadliest strikes hit the Fahmi Al-Jargawi School in Gaza City. The school had been converted into a shelter for displaced families. Hundreds of civilians, fleeing fighting in Beit Lahia, had sought refuge there.
Local medics and Gaza's Civil Defence reported that 20 people, including many children, were killed. Bodies were pulled from burned-out classrooms that had served as temporary living quarters.
Rami Rafiq, a nearby resident, described horrific scenes. “Flames were everywhere. I saw charred bodies lying on the ground. My son fainted when he saw them,”
Graphic video footage circulated online showed burning debris and severely injured survivors. Some were critically wounded, including children.
Hamas Police Official Among the Dead
Local sources confirmed that Mohammad Al-Kasih, a top Hamas police investigator, died in the school strike. His wife and children were also killed.
Shortly before that attack, another Israeli air strike hit a home in central Gaza City. Four more people lost their lives, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Palestinian Doctor Loses Nine Children
In another heartbreaking incident, an Israeli strike on Friday killed nine children from the same family. The victims were the children of Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, a Palestinian physician. Her husband, Hamdi al-Najjar, was critically injured. Only their 11-year-old son survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
The children, aged between a few months and 12 years, were named Yahya, Rakan, Raslan, Gebran, Eve, Rival, Sayden, Luqman, and Sidra. The Israeli military stated the attack is under review.
Red Cross Staff Killed in Khan Younis
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed the deaths of two staff members in another strike. Ibrahim Eid, a weapon contamination officer, and Ahmad Abu Hilal, a security guard, were killed when their home in Khan Younis was hit.
The ICRC condemned the incident, calling it another sign of the "intolerable civilian death toll in Gaza." They reiterated their call for an immediate ceasefire.
Gaza Aid Plan Collapses Over Neutrality Concerns
Efforts to deliver humanitarian aid through private firms have faltered. Jake Wood, executive director of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, announced his resignation on Sunday. He said the plan no longer aligned with humanitarian principles like neutrality and independence.
Limited Aid Reaches Gaza Amid Warnings of Famine
Israel had enforced a full blockade on Gaza beginning 2 March, lasting 11 weeks. Under mounting international pressure and warnings of famine, limited aid was finally allowed in.
As of Saturday, Israeli military officials said 388 aid trucks had entered Gaza since Monday. However, the United Nations warned that 500 to 600 trucks per day are needed to meet the basic needs of the population.
Global Pressure Mounts for Gaza Ceasefire
On Sunday, 20 countries and organisations gathered in Madrid to discuss ending the Gaza war. Spain’s Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, urged for an arms embargo on Israel if it continued its military actions.
Escalation Rooted in October Attack
The conflict began on 7 October 2023 when Hamas launched a deadly cross-border attack. Around 1,200 Israelis were killed and over 250 people were taken hostage.
Since then, Israeli strikes have killed at least 53,939 people in Gaza, including more than 16,500 children, according to the local health ministry.
Civilian Deaths Spark International Outrage
The increasing civilian death toll in Gaza continues to alarm global humanitarian agencies. Calls for a ceasefire and urgent aid access grow louder as the situation worsens by the day.
