Additional Coverage:
- ‘Most beautiful heart’: 12-year-old among dead after IDF airstrike near refugee camp (abcnews.go.com)
Tragedy Strikes Gaza Refugee Camp as Airstrike Kills at Least 10, Including Six Children
An airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip Sunday morning claimed the lives of at least ten people, six of whom were children, according to the Al-Awda hospital. The victims were reportedly waiting in line to collect water when the strike hit. Disturbing images and video footage show the immediate aftermath, with people carrying the injured and dead, many covered in blood.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the intended target was an Islamic Jihad terrorist. They attributed the civilian casualties to a technical error with the munition, which landed dozens of meters from its target. The IDF says the incident is under review.
Among the victims was 12-year-old Siraj Khaled Ibrahim, who was also waiting for water. A relative described him as a boy with a beautiful heart, a student of the Quran, and a football enthusiast.
This tragedy is the latest in an ongoing series of strikes in Gaza. The Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health reports that 139 Palestinians have been killed and over 425 injured in IDF attacks in the last 24 hours, bringing the total Palestinian death toll since October 7, 2023, to over 58,000.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reports that at least 798 people have been killed near food aid sites since the end of May. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has strongly condemned the ongoing violence and inaction.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking in Washington D.C. on Thursday, issued an ultimatum to Hamas: agree to Israel’s “minimum conditions” for a ceasefire within 60 days, or face further military action. Israel’s demands include Hamas disarmament, the dismantling of its government and military capabilities, and the demilitarization of Gaza.
Hamas responded by calling Netanyahu’s demands malicious and reiterated its previous proposal for a comprehensive exchange deal involving the release of all captives in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal, and unimpeded humanitarian aid. Hamas claims Netanyahu rejected this proposal.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and resulted in the capture of hundreds of hostages, at least 20 of whom are believed to still be held captive.