Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Thursday led to the deaths of at least 54 Palestinians, including 11 people in a tent encampment in the Al-Mawasi district, which had previously been designated as a humanitarian zone. Among those killed were women and children, according to medics.
The airstrikes also killed Mahmoud Salah, Gaza’s police department director general, and his aide, Hussam Shahwan, who was a Hamas security official in southern Gaza. The Hamas-run Gaza interior ministry condemned the killings, describing them as part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to deepen human suffering in Gaza.
Israeli Military’s Response
Israel’s military confirmed conducting an intelligence-based strike in the Al-Mawasi district, eliminating Shahwan. They claimed that Shahwan was involved in Hamas security operations in the region, but did not address the death of Mahmoud Salah. Other airstrikes targeted various areas in Gaza, including Khan Younis, Jabalia refugee camp, and Gaza City’s Shati camp.
The Israeli military stated that its actions were aimed at Hamas militants operating in command and control centers embedded in civilian structures. The military also emphasized that it follows international law and takes precautions to minimize civilian casualties.
UN Calls for Ceasefire
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), condemned the continued attacks on Gaza’s humanitarian zones, stating that there is no safe zone in Gaza. He warned that the violence would only worsen without a ceasefire.
Hamas’ ally, Islamic Jihad, fired rockets into southern Israel on Thursday, prompting Israel’s military to intercept one projectile.
Rising Death Toll
The ongoing conflict, which began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has led to the deaths of more than 45,500 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Many of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced, and the region’s infrastructure has been devastated.
