Israeli airstrikes and ground attacks in the northern Gaza Strip killed at least 20 Palestinians on Sunday, including those at a school sheltering displaced residents, according to medics and local residents.
At least 11 victims were killed in three separate airstrikes targeting homes in Gaza City, while others died in the towns of Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, and Jabalia camp, medical sources said.
Residents reported clusters of homes were bombed and some set on fire in the ongoing Israeli operations, which have persisted for over two months. In Beit Hanoun, Israeli forces stormed the Khalil Aweida school, where displaced families had taken shelter, and ordered them to evacuate toward Gaza City, witnesses said. Several casualties were reported during the raid, but the exact death toll remains unclear.
The Israeli army did not immediately comment on the incidents.
Palestinian officials accused Israel of ethnic cleansing aimed at depopulating northern Gaza to establish a buffer zone. Israel has denied the claims, stating its actions target Hamas militants to prevent their regrouping.
The conflict escalated on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking over 250 hostages into Gaza, according to Israeli authorities. In response, Israel launched extensive air, land, and sea offensives, resulting in nearly 45,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, as reported by the Hamas-led Gaza Health Ministry. The military campaign has displaced almost the entire population and left much of Gaza in ruins.
Efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to broker a ceasefire have gained traction in recent weeks, though no breakthrough has been reported.
REUTERS
