Gaza Health Ministry Reports 26 Killed in Israeli Strike on Mosque-Shelter
A devastating Israeli strike on a mosque-turned-shelter in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, has resulted in the loss of 26 lives, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The ministry stated that many more were wounded in the pre-dawn strike, which was described as targeting displaced people in the Ibn Rushd school and Al Aqsa Martyrs mosque. The Israeli military claimed that it conducted a precise strike on Hamas militants operating within a command center at the mosque, though it did not provide a specific toll. This incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where thousands have been killed in Israel's retaliatory military offensive since October last year.
Key Takeaways:
- The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported that 26 people were killed in an Israeli strike on a mosque-turned-shelter in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
- The Gaza civil defence agency initially reported 21 people killed in the pre-dawn strike, but later the health ministry confirmed the higher toll of 26 dead and several more wounded.
- The Israeli military claimed to have targeted Hamas militants operating within a command center at the mosque, though it did not provide a specific toll.
- Since October last year, Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,870 people in Gaza, with the majority being civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry and described as reliable by the UN.
- The incident occurred ahead of the October 7 anniversary, with thousands joining pro-Palestinian rallies in London, Paris, Cape Town, and other cities.
- The Al Aqsa Martyrs mosque was previously converted into a shelter for displaced people, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Statistics:
- 26 people were killed in the Israeli strike on the mosque-turned-shelter in Deir al-Balah, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
- 41,870 people have been killed in Israel's retaliatory military offensive in Gaza since October last year, with the majority being civilians.
- The pre-dawn strike in central Gaza's Deir El-Balah area targeted displaced people in the Ibn Rushd school and Al Aqsa Martyrs mosque.
- The Israeli military claimed to have conducted a precise strike on Hamas militants operating within a command center at the mosque.
- The toll from the incident remains unclear, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting 26 dead and the Israeli military not providing a specific number.
- Thousands joined pro-Palestinian rallies in London, Paris, Cape Town, and other cities ahead of the October 7 anniversary.
Sources:
- Hamas-run health ministry statement (exact as mentioned in the original text)
- Israeli military statement (exact as mentioned in the original text)
- The New Nation article (exact as mentioned in the original text)