GAZA CITY: At least 23 Palestinians, including eight children, were killed in overnight Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, the local civil defence agency confirmed on Thursday.
According to Mohammed al-Mughair, a senior official in Gaza’s civil defence, 12 people—including eight children—lost their lives in a single strike that hit a residential area in Deir el-Balah, located in central Gaza. The area, already overwhelmed by displaced families and limited access to medical aid, was left devastated by the air raid.
The remaining fatalities were reported from separate strikes in other parts of the densely populated territory, as Israeli bombardment continued into the early hours of Thursday. Civil defence teams, along with volunteers, have been working through the rubble in multiple neighbourhoods, searching for survivors and recovering bodies.
“These attacks are targeting families in their homes. Many of the victims were asleep when the strikes hit,” al-Mughair said, adding that the number of casualties could rise as rescue operations continue.
The Israeli military has not commented on the specific strikes reported in Deir el-Balah but has maintained that its operations are aimed at targeting militant infrastructure. Israel’s offensive in Gaza has been ongoing for months following renewed hostilities with Hamas and other armed factions, resulting in extensive destruction and a spiraling humanitarian crisis.
Hospitals and emergency services across Gaza are struggling to cope with the rising number of casualties, with many health facilities either damaged or operating with severe shortages of medicine, fuel, and equipment.
The United Nations and international rights groups have repeatedly called for restraint and protection of civilians, emphasizing that children continue to bear the brunt of the conflict.
As the situation in Gaza worsens, calls for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access have grown louder. However, diplomatic efforts remain stalled, and civilians continue to pay the highest price.
