Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill 78, women and children among victims

Two airstrikes by Israeli forces in northern Gaza on Tuesday resulted in at least 78 fatalities, including numerous women and children, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israel has intensified its airstrikes and expanded ground operations in the region in recent weeks, aiming to dismantle Hamas militant groups. The escalating conflict has heightened concerns over deteriorating humanitarian conditions for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in northern Gaza.

On Monday, concerns over inadequate aid were exacerbated when Israeli lawmakers passed legislation severing ties with UNRWA, the main U.N. agency delivering essential supplies to Gaza. This move raises questions about how UNRWA will continue its operations in Gaza and the West Bank, given Israel’s control over access to these areas. John Fowler, a spokesperson for UNRWA, described the situation as a potential disaster, emphasising the agency’s crucial role in coordinating aid distribution.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah announced the appointment of Sheikh Naim Kassem as its new leader following the death of Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike. Hezbollah has pledged to continue its aggressive stance against Israel. On Tuesday, eight Austrian soldiers serving with the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon sustained minor injuries in a missile attack, which UNIFIL suggested was likely launched by Hezbollah.

More than 80 Palestinians of Abu Naser family killed.
Grandma and grandpa
Their children
And their children's wives and kids
3 generations wiped out of earth in Israeli strikepic.twitter.com/6wJoE9WIRI

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— #SaveNorthernGaza (@izaataryabess) October 29, 2024

The strikes in northern Gaza have claimed numerous lives. In the first attack on Beit Lahiya, at least 60 people, including many women and children, perished. The second strike in the same region later on Tuesday resulted in at least 18 more deaths. Kamal Adwan Hospital struggled to cope with the influx of casualties. The Israeli military is investigating the initial strike but has not commented on the subsequent one. Their recent operations have caused significant casualties and displacement in Jabaliya and surrounding areas. Although Israel claims to target militants, strikes often result in civilian casualties.

As the conflict continues, Hamas has signalled a willingness to reopen cease-fire talks, although previous demands remain unchanged and have been rejected by Israel. Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, indicated the group’s acceptance of mediator requests to consider new proposals.

Hezbollah, in a statement, confirmed Kassem’s election as its new secretary-general. Kassem, a founding member of Hezbollah, has vowed to persist with Nasrallah’s policies despite recent setbacks. The group began launching rockets into Israel following a surprise attack by Hamas in October, which led to the current conflict. Tensions escalated further after Israel conducted a ground invasion in Lebanon. On Tuesday, Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel, resulting in one casualty, while Israeli airstrikes in Sidon, Lebanon, killed at least five people.

On Tuesday, international organisations, including UNRWA, expressed strong opposition to the Israeli parliament’s decision to cut ties with the agency. Israel alleges that Hamas exploits UNRWA facilities and diverts aid, claims denied by the U.N. agency. David Mencer, an Israeli government spokesperson, assured that aid would still reach Gaza through alternative channels. UNRWA, described as the “backbone” of U.N. aid in Palestinian areas, provides vital services to millions of refugees. The agency’s role in delivering health care and education is irreplaceable, according to WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic.

Israel has significantly restricted aid to northern Gaza recently, prompting warnings from the United States about potential reductions in military aid. The ongoing conflict, which began with a Hamas attack last year, has resulted in over 43,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health authorities, and has displaced a vast majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.