Israeli strike on Khan Younis shelter kills at least 25 amid surge in Gaza fighting

IDF Reviews Gaza Airstrike Amid Rising Casualties

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are currently reviewing an airstrike in Abassan, Gaza, which officials report has resulted in the deaths of several women and children. The airstrike, which involved precision munitions, targeted a school-turned-shelter, leaving at least 25 people dead and sending thousands more fleeing.

Airstrike in Abassan

The strike took place on Tuesday afternoon, hitting tents of displaced families near a school in Abassan, east of Khan Younis. According to a reporter from the Associated Press, 25 bodies were counted at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, with health officials confirming that at least seven women and children were among the deceased.

The IDF stated, “A warplane, using precision munitions, attacked a terrorist from the military wing of Hamas who participated in the massacre on October 7th.” They are currently investigating reports of civilian casualties.

Eyewitness Accounts

Witnesses reported that the area was heavily populated at the time of the strike, with up to 3,000 people present. One witness told the BBC that there was no prior warning of the attack, contributing to the high number of casualties.

Increased Military Activity

This airstrike follows a mass evacuation order issued by the IDF for parts of southern Gaza. Despite the destruction of much of Khan Younis earlier this year, many Palestinians had returned to escape ongoing offensives in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city.

Across Gaza, there has been a notable increase in airstrikes this week. Central Gaza City has seen helicopter strikes, explosions, and gun battles as the Israeli offensive expands in the Shuja’iya neighborhood. Tanks have moved into areas where Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters have regrouped.

Rising Casualties

Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, reported that Israeli strikes in central Gaza killed 60 Palestinians and wounded dozens more on Tuesday. The Israeli military has also ordered evacuations in several districts of eastern and western Gaza City.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported numerous humanitarian distress calls from Gaza City but was unable to respond due to the intensity of the bombing.

Ongoing Conflict

On Wednesday, Israel announced the death of a soldier in central Gaza. The IDF confirmed that Israeli soldiers are engaged in close-quarter combat with militants in Gaza City.

The recent airstrikes are among the fiercest since the war began after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7th. Hamas’s armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, described the current fighting as “the most intense in months.”

Ceasefire Negotiations

As the fighting escalates, international mediators are making progress in ceasefire negotiations. Last week, Hamas made a significant concession by dropping its demand for a complete ceasefire as a prerequisite for talks. Mediation efforts, led by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, have intensified. Egyptian media reports that talks will continue in Doha and Cairo this week, with participation from CIA Director William Burns and Israel’s Mossad Chief David Barnea. “There is an agreement over many points,” a senior source told al-Qahera news on Tuesday.

However, Hamas’s political chief in Qatar, Ismail Haniyeh, warned that the “catastrophic consequences” of the latest battles could “reset the negotiation process to square one.” He also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to thwart the truce talks.

Conclusion

The airstrike in Abassan has not only claimed lives but also underscored the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As international mediators push for a ceasefire, the situation on the ground remains dire. The international community’s support is crucial in addressing the immediate humanitarian needs and working towards a lasting peace in the region.