Israeli airstrikes across Gaza and the West Bank have resulted in the deaths of at least 25 people, with women and children among the casualties, according to local officials.
In the Gaza Strip, airstrikes early Wednesday left at least 20 dead. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that a strike on a tent camp, which Israel had designated as a humanitarian zone, killed 19 individuals. Additionally, an airstrike near Khan Younis claimed 11 lives, including six siblings aged between 21 months and 21 years old. The European Hospital, which treated the victims, confirmed that the deceased included three women, a child, and a man. Another airstrike late Tuesday targeted a residence in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, killing nine, including six women and children. The home belonged to Akram al-Najjar, a professor at al-Quds Open University, who reportedly survived the attack.
The Gaza Health Ministry has stated that more than 40,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the conflict began, a figure that includes both combatants and civilians. The ongoing war has led to widespread destruction and displaced approximately 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, many of whom have been forced to move multiple times.
In the West Bank, an Israeli airstrike on the northern city of Tubas early Wednesday resulted in the deaths of five Palestinians. The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted a group of militants, but the Palestinian Health Ministry did not confirm whether the victims were militants or civilians. Israel has recently intensified its military operations in the West Bank, asserting that they are aimed at preventing attacks by militant groups. However, Palestinians argue that these actions are part of a broader effort by Israel to reinforce its military control over the territory.
Violence in the West Bank has escalated since the onset of the current conflict in Gaza. Israel captured the West Bank, along with East Jerusalem and Gaza, during the 1967 Middle East war, and Palestinians aspire to establish a future state in these territories. However, ongoing Israeli military operations continue to heighten tensions.
In a recent development, Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader appointed in August, made his first public statement since the conflict began. Sinwar congratulated Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on his reelection and expressed gratitude for Algeria’s support of the Palestinian cause. Algeria had previously introduced a draft resolution at the United Nations calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israeli military actions in Gaza.