Israeli airstrikes kill 17 Palestinians in Gaza as authorities order a hospital evacuation

Israeli military operations across the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of at least 17 Palestinians, including eight individuals at a school in Gaza City that was serving as a shelter for displaced families, according to medical sources. The Israeli military has also ordered the evacuation of a hospital in the northern region.

Medical personnel reported that eight people, among them children, lost their lives in the Musa Bin Nusayr School, which was housing displaced families. The Israeli military stated that the strike was aimed at Hamas militants who were allegedly using a command center located within the school to plan and execute attacks against Israeli forces.

In another incident in Gaza City, medics confirmed that four Palestinians were killed when an airstrike targeted a vehicle. Additionally, at least five more Palestinians died in two separate airstrikes in Rafah and Khan Younis, located in the southern part of the enclave.

In Beit Lahiya, a northern Gaza town where military operations have been ongoing since October, Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, reported that the army instructed staff to evacuate the facility and transfer patients to another hospital nearby. He described the task as “next to impossible” due to the lack of ambulances available for patient transport.

The Israeli army has been active in the northern Gaza towns of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, as well as the adjacent Jabalia camp, for nearly three months. Palestinians have accused Israel of engaging in “ethnic cleansing” to depopulate these areas and establish a buffer zone. Israel, however, refutes these claims, asserting that its operations are focused on combating Hamas militants and preventing their reorganization. The Israeli military claims to have killed hundreds of militants and dismantled significant military infrastructure since the commencement of this operation.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s armed factions reported that they have killed numerous Israeli soldiers in ambushes during the recent conflict. Efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are still ongoing. Sources familiar with the negotiations informed Reuters on Thursday that Qatar and Egypt have managed to address some of the differences between the conflicting parties, although significant obstacles remain.

Israel initiated its military operations in Gaza following an attack by Hamas-led militants on Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of over 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports. Israel claims that approximately 100 hostages are still being held, but the status of their survival remains uncertain.

Gaza authorities report that Israel’s military campaign has resulted in the deaths of more than 45,000 Palestinians and has displaced a majority of the 2.3 million residents. The majority of the coastal territory is now in ruins.