Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill At Least 21 People, Health Authorities Say
More than half of those killed were women and children as desperation mounts in the Palestinian territory.
Israeli strikes in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 21 people late Tuesday and early Wednesday.
According to health authorities, more than half of the fatalities were women and children.
The ongoing crisis in the Palestinian territory, home to over 2 million individuals, is exacerbated by Israel's blockade and nearly two-year military campaign.
A breakdown in law and order has led to widespread looting and contributed to chaos and violence around aid distribution sites.
The United Nations human rights office reported that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to access food within the Gaza Strip since May, primarily near aid sites operated by an American contractor.
In response, more than 100 human rights groups and charities signed a letter calling for increased aid and warning of dire conditions leading to starvation.
Gaza's Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, has reported over 59,000 Palestinian fatalities during the Israel-Hamas war.
While the ministry does not differentiate between civilians and militants in its casualty count, it notes that more than half of the deceased are women and children.
The UN and other international organizations recognize this data as the most reliable source on casualties.
The latest incidents include overnight strikes that resulted in multiple fatalities.
One strike targeted a house in northwest Gaza City, causing at least 12 deaths, including six children and two women.
Another strike hit an apartment in northern Gaza's Tal Al-Hawa area, claiming the lives of at least six individuals—three children and two women among them—and injuring eight others.
A third strike in the Naser neighborhood of Gaza City resulted in the deaths of three children.
The Israeli military has not yet commented on these strikes but attributes civilian casualties to Hamas' presence in populated areas.
In response to the escalating crisis, human rights groups and charities have issued a letter condemning Israel's restrictions on aid entry into Gaza and calling for an increase in aid as well as a ceasefire.
They highlight the dire situation that is driving more individuals towards starvation.
Israel maintains that it has allowed thousands of trucks into the territory since May and places blame on aid groups for inconsistent deliveries.
According to health authorities, more than half of the fatalities were women and children.
The ongoing crisis in the Palestinian territory, home to over 2 million individuals, is exacerbated by Israel's blockade and nearly two-year military campaign.
A breakdown in law and order has led to widespread looting and contributed to chaos and violence around aid distribution sites.
The United Nations human rights office reported that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to access food within the Gaza Strip since May, primarily near aid sites operated by an American contractor.
In response, more than 100 human rights groups and charities signed a letter calling for increased aid and warning of dire conditions leading to starvation.
Gaza's Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, has reported over 59,000 Palestinian fatalities during the Israel-Hamas war.
While the ministry does not differentiate between civilians and militants in its casualty count, it notes that more than half of the deceased are women and children.
The UN and other international organizations recognize this data as the most reliable source on casualties.
The latest incidents include overnight strikes that resulted in multiple fatalities.
One strike targeted a house in northwest Gaza City, causing at least 12 deaths, including six children and two women.
Another strike hit an apartment in northern Gaza's Tal Al-Hawa area, claiming the lives of at least six individuals—three children and two women among them—and injuring eight others.
A third strike in the Naser neighborhood of Gaza City resulted in the deaths of three children.
The Israeli military has not yet commented on these strikes but attributes civilian casualties to Hamas' presence in populated areas.
In response to the escalating crisis, human rights groups and charities have issued a letter condemning Israel's restrictions on aid entry into Gaza and calling for an increase in aid as well as a ceasefire.
They highlight the dire situation that is driving more individuals towards starvation.
Israel maintains that it has allowed thousands of trucks into the territory since May and places blame on aid groups for inconsistent deliveries.
