Palestinian authorities have condemned the recent Israeli airstrike on the Gaza refugee camp, describing it as a “barbaric massacre.” The attack killed at least 36 people, many of them women and children, and devastated families, including the al-Sheikh Ali family, who lost multiple members. The keyword “Gaza civilian toll” highlights the mounting tragedy in the region as the death toll continues to rise.
Targeting Residential Areas
The Nuseirat attack hit a residential area housing displaced Palestinian families. Medics reported that Israeli fire struck a postal office sheltering families and nearby homes, leaving a trail of destruction and despair. Images from the scene captured children covered in dust and blood, struggling to survive amid the rubble of their collapsed homes.
The Government Media Office in Gaza accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilians, noting the strike occurred in an area filled with apartment buildings. Such incidents are tragically common in Gaza, where aerial attacks often obliterate entire families.
Rising Death Toll in Gaza
The ongoing conflict, which began in October 2023, has claimed more than 44,800 Palestinian lives in Gaza. Over half of the victims are women and children. Airwars, a watchdog group monitoring civilian casualties, described Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as “the most intense and destructive” in its records since 2014. Their report revealed that civilian deaths in the first month of the conflict outpaced any comparable conflict by nearly four times.
Rights groups and health experts believe the actual death toll is far higher, with thousands of victims still buried under rubble. The health system in Gaza, already stretched to its limits, faces immense challenges in treating survivors.
Read: Intensified Israeli Airstrikes Claim 13 Lives in Gaza
Health and Humanitarian Crisis
The attack on Nuseirat coincided with a broader crisis in Gaza’s healthcare sector. Over 1,057 healthcare workers have been killed since the war began. The casualties include Saeed Jouda, a leading doctor at Kamal Adwan Hospital. Jouda was killed in another strike while en route to treat patients in Jabalia refugee camp.
The Government Media Office warned that Gaza’s health system is on the brink of collapse. Hospitals and clinics have been repeatedly targeted, leaving many out of service. The blockade on medical supplies has further exacerbated the crisis, making it nearly impossible to treat the injured or manage the growing humanitarian needs.
Refugee Camps Under Siege
The Nuseirat refugee camp, one of Gaza’s eight historic camps, was established in 1948. It aimed to house Palestinians displaced during the Nakba, or “catastrophe.” Decades later, it remains a symbol of the region’s enduring struggles. Thursday’s attack on the camp is one of many recent strikes that have targeted areas meant to provide refuge.
The international community has expressed outrage, but efforts to halt the violence remain insufficient. As Gaza’s civilian toll continues to rise, urgent action is needed. This action will address the escalating humanitarian crisis and ensure the protection of innocent lives.
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