The Israeli military continues its relentless attack on Gaza, with a new airstrike in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood, east of Gaza City. The strike, which killed 29 people and injured over 50, is part of a broader escalation with no signs of a ceasefire. The situation in Gaza remains dire, as civilian casualties mount amid heavy airstrikes, particularly in densely populated residential areas. The latest tragedy has only added to the growing death toll since the start of Israel’s offensive in October 2023.
New Attack Strikes Shuja’iyya
On Wednesday, Israeli warplanes bombed the Shuja’iyya neighborhood, a densely populated residential area near Al-Hawashi Mosque. The airstrike caused widespread destruction and resulted in numerous civilian deaths, most of whom were women and children. Civil defense teams are still searching through rubble for survivors, a grim reminder of the escalating violence in Gaza.
The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that in the last 24 hours, 36 people have died, and 41 others have been injured. The death toll since March 8 has now reached 1,482, with 3,688 injured. Since the onset of the conflict in October 2023, a staggering 50,846 people have been killed, and 115,729 have been injured.
Israel Expands Military Operations
The Israeli army’s operations have expanded, with reports indicating plans to turn the city of Rafah in southern Gaza into a military buffer zone. According to Haaretz, this area could span 75 square kilometers, effectively annexing one-fifth of Gaza’s land. If implemented, this plan would further isolate Gaza, restricting Palestinians’ movement and adding to the hardships of the civilian population.
A senior Israeli military officer, quoted by Haaretz, said Israeli soldiers were instructed to eliminate anyone in their path, even if they were innocent, in response to growing public pressure within Israel. This has led to a competitive mindset among military units to cause the maximum destruction possible.
Reactions to the Attack
Hamas has condemned the Shuja’iyya strike as a “brutal act of revenge,” calling it a deliberate massacre of civilians. The group has accused Israel and the United States of being complicit in the ongoing violence and urged Arab and Islamic nations to sever diplomatic ties with Israel.
In a statement, Hamas emphasized that the release of Israeli detainees would only happen through negotiations, warning that the ongoing military escalation puts their lives at risk without yielding any strategic benefits.
The Islamic Jihad Movement has also decried the attack, labeling it a war crime. The group rejected Israeli claims that it targeted a Hamas leadership cell, calling it a fabricated excuse for the attack on a civilian area. Islamic Jihad accused Israel of carrying out an unrestrained campaign of genocide, warning that these attacks marked the death of human conscience.
Diplomatic Efforts and International Response
On the diplomatic front, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty had spoken with US Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Wietkov, to discuss efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza. The talks also focused on advancing the second phase of the agreement brokered with Qatar, which includes humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza.
Abdelatty stressed the urgency of providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza and alleviating the suffering of its civilians. He also mentioned that Egypt plans to host an international conference in partnership with the UN and the Palestinian government to discuss Gaza’s post-war reconstruction.
The Egyptian minister also urged the creation of a political solution based on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. He warned of the “catastrophic consequences” for the broader Middle East if the conflict continues to escalate.
As Israel’s military operations intensify in Gaza, the civilian toll continues to rise. Efforts for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid remain critical, but the situation remains dire. The international community faces increasing pressure to intervene and seek a peaceful resolution to prevent further loss of life and regional destabilization.
