A deadly airstrike by Israeli forces hit a residential building in the Shujaiya neighborhood of Gaza City, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 40, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. The attack happened late Monday, and rescuers are still searching for survivors trapped under the rubble. The Israeli military has confirmed they are reviewing the incident.
Rescue Teams Recover Bodies from Rubble
Emergency crews in Gaza say the situation remains critical. Mahmud Bassal, a spokesperson for the Gaza civil defense, confirmed that “20 martyrs and more than 40 injured” were found after the building collapse. He also said many people are still missing.
“We are working hard to pull people from under the debris,” Bassal added during a press briefing.
Videos shared by local journalists show frantic scenes of civilians helping to dig through the rubble with their hands. Ambulances were seen rushing survivors to nearby hospitals already overwhelmed by months of conflict.
Israeli Military Responds
The Israeli military told AFP that they are “reviewing the reported incident” but have not confirmed details. It is still unclear whether the building was targeted directly or hit as part of a broader operation.
Israel has launched multiple strikes across Gaza as part of its ongoing military campaign, which began in October 2023. The campaign followed a surprise attack by Hamas militants that killed around 1,200 people in Israel, according to official sources.
Civilian Toll Continues to Rise
Since the conflict escalated, Gaza’s Health Ministry says over 33,000 people have been killed, most of them women and children. Many neighborhoods, including Shujaiya, have been left in ruins due to ongoing air and ground operations.
The United Nations has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and safe access to deliver aid. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said last week that “civilians must never be a target” and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law.
Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The airstrike in Shujaiya adds to the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Many families have lost their homes and are living in overcrowded shelters. Food, water, and medicine remain scarce.
International aid agencies say that more than 1.7 million people — nearly 80% of Gaza’s population — have been displaced. A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called the situation “dire” and urged for immediate aid access.
Calls for Accountability
Human rights groups are calling for independent investigations into attacks on residential areas. Amnesty International released a statement urging the United Nations to “take immediate action to investigate possible war crimes.”
“These repeated strikes on civilian homes are alarming. Every effort must be made to protect civilians,” said Heba Morayef, Amnesty’s Middle East director.
Israel has faced mounting international criticism over civilian casualties, but maintains that it targets Hamas militants and infrastructure embedded in residential areas.
Global Reactions
Several countries, including Turkey and Jordan, condemned the latest strike. The Turkish Foreign Ministry called it “a clear violation of human rights” and demanded that Israel halt its operations against civilians.
The United States has urged restraint but continues to support Israel’s right to self-defense. At the same time, Washington has called for “minimized harm to civilians” and more humanitarian aid access to Gaza.
A Community in Mourning
As rescue operations continue, families in Shujaiya are mourning their loved ones. Funerals for the victims are being held today. Many residents say they have nowhere left to go, as airstrikes have hit homes, schools, and hospitals.
One survivor told local reporters, “I lost my whole family. I don’t know why this happened to us. We were just sleeping in our home.”
