Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Kill 12, Including Children, Amid Renewed Conflict with Hamas; Over 52,000 Dead Since Ceasefire Collapse

USPolitics04/30 12:32
Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Kill 12, Including Children, Amid Renewed Conflict with Hamas; Over 52,000 Dead Since Ceasefire Collapse

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 12 Palestinians, including three children, in the Nuseirat refugee camp. The strikes are part of an ongoing offensive against Hamas that resumed in March 2024 after a ceasefire collapsed. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 52,000 Palestinians have died since October 2023, with humanitarian conditions worsening due to a blockade on imports. The blockade aims to pressure Hamas to release hostages. International bodies have condemned the blockade, citing potential war crimes, while ceasefire negotiations remain stalled.

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04/30 12:32

Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Kill 12, Including Children, Amid Renewed Conflict with Hamas; Over 52,000 Dead Since Ceasefire Collapse

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 12 Palestinians, including three children, in the Nuseirat refugee camp. The strikes are part of an ongoing offensive against Hamas that resumed in March 2024 after a ceasefire collapsed. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 52,000 Palestinians have died since October 2023, with humanitarian conditions worsening due to a blockade on imports. The blockade aims to pressure Hamas to release hostages. International bodies have condemned the blockade, citing potential war crimes, while ceasefire negotiations remain stalled.

Overnight Strikes Kill Civilians in Nuseirat

Hospital workers at Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza confirmed that 12 people, including children, were killed in pre-dawn Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday, April 30. The strikes hit three residential homes in the densely populated Nuseirat refugee camp. Among the dead were three children, including two brothers whose bodies arrived at the hospital in pieces, according to morgue staff.

These latest casualties come just days after more than two dozen people were killed in similar strikes on Gaza City and Beit Lahiya. The Israeli military has maintained a pattern of daily bombardments since resuming operations in March, following the breakdown of a ceasefire agreement.

Death Toll Surpasses 52,000, Thousands Still Missing

The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on October 7, 2023, with over 117,000 injured. The Government Media Office in Gaza estimates the actual death toll may exceed 61,700, citing thousands of bodies still buried under rubble in areas inaccessible to rescue teams due to ongoing hostilities and lack of equipment.

The renewed offensive, which began on March 18, 2024, has alone resulted in over 2,200 deaths and nearly 6,000 injuries, according to local health authorities. The scale of destruction has overwhelmed Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system, with hospitals operating far beyond capacity and lacking essential supplies.

Blockade on Imports Deepens Humanitarian Crisis

Since March 2, Israel has enforced a total blockade on Gaza, halting all imports of food, fuel, medicine, and humanitarian aid. Israeli officials have stated that the blockade is intended to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages taken during the October 7 attacks, in which approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed and over 200 taken hostage.

The United Nations and international human rights organizations have condemned the blockade, warning that the use of starvation as a method of warfare constitutes a war crime. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stated, “Any use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of war constitutes a war crime, and so do all forms of collective punishment.”

The blockade has led to a near-total collapse of Gaza’s health, food, and sanitation systems. Aid agencies report that children and infants are particularly vulnerable, with malnutrition and disease spreading rapidly in overcrowded shelters and hospitals.

Civilian Infrastructure and Education System Devastated

The Ministry of Education in Gaza reports that at least 14,784 students have been killed and nearly 25,000 injured since the start of the conflict. Schools, many of which have been used as shelters for displaced families, have been repeatedly targeted or damaged in airstrikes, further compounding the humanitarian crisis.

The destruction of educational infrastructure has long-term implications for Gaza’s youth, many of whom have now lived through multiple wars. Aid organizations warn that the psychological toll on children is severe, with widespread trauma and lack of access to basic education and mental health services.

Targeted Strikes and Hamas Leadership

In recent operations, the Israeli military and Shin Bet intelligence agency claimed responsibility for killing two senior Hamas figures, Said Abu Hasnan and Mustafa al-Mutawwak. These targeted strikes are part of Israel’s broader campaign to dismantle Hamas’ leadership and military capabilities.

However, the high civilian death toll and widespread destruction have drawn increasing international criticism. Human rights groups and several governments have called for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations to secure the release of hostages and allow humanitarian aid into the enclave.

Hostage Negotiations and Ceasefire Efforts Stalled

Efforts to broker a new ceasefire have stalled, with Hamas reportedly rejecting a recent Israeli proposal that included the return of nearly a dozen hostages. Hamas has insisted that any agreement must include guarantees for a full Israeli withdrawal, the lifting of the blockade, and the start of reconstruction efforts.

Meanwhile, Israel has maintained its position that military pressure is necessary to secure the release of hostages and dismantle Hamas’ infrastructure. The lack of progress in negotiations has left both sides entrenched, with civilians bearing the brunt of the ongoing violence.

International Response and Legal Scrutiny

The international community has expressed growing alarm over the situation in Gaza. The International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice are both reviewing cases related to alleged war crimes and genocide. Israel’s leadership faces mounting legal and diplomatic pressure, while Hamas remains designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, and other countries.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, speaking at the UN Security Council, described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic” and called for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid. He confirmed that Israeli bombings since the end of March have killed more than 1,300 people, including many women and children.

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