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Aerial bombing

Israeli Air Strike in Gaza Kills Dozens, Wounds Scores

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

An Israeli air strike near a school in the southern Gaza Strip has left dozens dead and scores injured, the latest escalation in the 10-month conflict between Israel and Hamas. The strike, which targeted a Hamas militant, has left a trail of destruction and civilian casualties, sparking international condemnation and renewed calls for a ceasefire.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Israeli military confirmed that it targeted a Hamas militant who was "adjacent" to al-Awda school east of the city of Khan Younis, despite reports that civilians were harmed in the strike.
  • The incident is under review by the Israeli military, which emphasized that the target of the strike was a Hamas operative involved in the group's October 7 attack.
  • The air strike came as Israel continued ground operations in other parts of the territory, including a renewed offensive in Gaza City and the Shejaiya district in the north.
  • The strike has left tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza City without access to safe shelter, with the Israeli military urging them to evacuate southward to central areas of the strip.
  • Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA head, has said that all sides -- Israeli forces, Hamas, and other Palestinian groups -- use UNRWA facilities in the fighting, and that two-thirds of UNRWA schools in Gaza have been targeted and damaged since the start of the war.
  • International talks were set to resume in Doha over a potential ceasefire deal that would secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages seized on October 7, but progress remains uncertain.

Statistics:

  • At least 30 people were killed in the Israeli air strike near the al-Awda school, mostly civilians sheltering at the facility.
  • Dozens more were injured in the strike.
  • The conflict has lasted for 10 months, with the Israeli military saying it would not end the conflict until its objectives have been achieved.
  • 2/3 of UNRWA schools in Gaza have been targeted and damaged since the start of the war.
  • The Israeli military has launched a renewed offensive in Gaza City, the Shejaiya district, and the southern city of Rafah.

Sources:

  • "Palestinian civilians killed in Israeli air strike on Gaza school, says Hamas" (The Guardian, November 2023)
  • "Israeli air strike in Gaza kills dozens, injures scores" (Middle East Eye, November 2023)
  • "UNRWA head says two-thirds of agency's schools in Gaza targeted since start of war" (The New York Times, November 2023)
  • "Ceasefire deal talks to resume in Doha over Israeli hostages" (Al Jazeera, November 2023)

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