Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza and West Bank Result in Deaths of 24 Palestinians

Strategic Insights -

Violent clashes have escalated between Israel and Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with at least 24 Palestinians killed in the past 24 hours. The violence began on Saturday with two separate airstrikes in the occupied West Bank, which killed nine militants, including a local Hamas commander. Hours later, an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza City killed at least 15 Palestinians. The Israeli military stated that the school was being used as a command centre for Hamas, to hide militants and manufacture weapons, although Hamas has denied these accusations.

Key Takeaways:

  • At least 24 Palestinians have been killed in the past 24 hours, with 15 of those deaths resulting from an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza City.
  • The Israeli military stated that the school was being used as a command centre for Hamas, while Hamas has denied these accusations.
  • The airstrike in Gaza City was the third such attack in the enclave on Saturday, with previous strikes killing six people in a house in Rafah and two others in Gaza City.
  • A high-level Israeli delegation visited Cairo on Saturday in an attempt to resume Gaza ceasefire negotiations, though the chances of a breakthrough appear low due to regional tension.
  • The Gaza war has resulted in at least 39,550 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health officials.
  • The conflict has its roots in the October 7 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people and left 250 abducted, according to Israeli tallies.

Statistics:

  • At least 24 Palestinians have been killed in the past 24 hours.
  • 15 of those deaths resulted from an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza City.
  • 9 militants, including a local Hamas commander, were killed in the West Bank raids.
  • 6 people were killed in a house in Rafah prior to the airstrike in Gaza City.
  • 2 others were killed in Gaza City prior to the airstrike.
  • At least 39,550 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
  • 1,200 people were killed and 250 abducted in the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7.

Sources:

  • Hamas-run-government media office
  • Palestinian news agency WAFA
  • Israeli military
  • Egyptian airport authority sources
  • Foreign Ministry of Italy
  • Cyprus Mail 2022