Israel continued its airstrike campaign in Gaza on Saturday, amid a potential government crisis as a war cabinet minister threatened to resign due to increasing pressure on the military’s actions.
Reports from witnesses and AFP journalists indicated that the strikes were concentrated in central areas of Gaza, causing widespread damage in the Palestinian territory.
The bombardment persisted despite international scrutiny after an attack on a UN-run school on Thursday that resulted in the deaths of 37 people, as reported by a Gaza hospital.
The Israeli military confirmed the strike at the Nuseirat refugee camp, claiming it targeted a Hamas base and killed 17 militants. However, Hamas disputed this claim, stating that some of the individuals listed as dead were actually alive.
UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees operating the school, condemned Israel for attacking a facility that was sheltering 6,000 displaced people without any prior warning.
Israel accuses Hamas of using civilian infrastructure for military purposes, a charge the militant group denies.
– ‘Defenceless’ –
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, with one in 20 people either dead or wounded according to Gaza’s health ministry. Most of the territory’s inhabitants are displaced as a result of the conflict.
The aftermath of the airstrikes was captured in an AFP video showing civilians salvaging what they could from destroyed buildings in Gaza City, highlighting the devastating impact on innocent lives.
Civilians in Gaza remain vulnerable to the attacks, with reports of additional casualties in various areas of the territory.
– Political fallout –
Israel is facing growing diplomatic isolation and accusations of war crimes, with international pressure mounting on the country. Several European countries have recognized a Palestinian state in response to the ongoing conflict.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also under pressure domestically, with members of his government threatening to resign over the handling of the military campaign in Gaza.
Efforts to mediate a ceasefire have stalled, despite calls from world leaders for an end to the violence. The United States has proposed a roadmap for a temporary ceasefire and prisoner exchange, but Hamas has yet to respond to the offer.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit the region to push for a diplomatic solution to the conflict, emphasizing the importance of a ceasefire agreement that benefits both Israelis and Palestinians.
