By Israeli airstrikes on Palestinian territories have resulted in the deaths of more than two dozen people on Wednesday, according to local officials, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate.
In the occupied West Bank, an Israeli airstrike killed five Palestinians, while at least 20 people, including 16 women and children, were killed in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian health authorities reported.
Gaza’s Health Ministry also confirmed that Tuesday’s strike on a tent camp in an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone resulted in at least 19 fatalities. The ministry states that over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023. However, this count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
The ongoing conflict has caused widespread destruction and displaced approximately 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, many multiple times. The war was sparked by a Hamas-led attack on October 7, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and saw 250 people abducted. Approximately 100 hostages are still being held, with a third believed to be dead.
In a separate incident on Wednesday, a fuel tanker crashed into a bus stop in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, seriously injuring one person. Israeli officials are treating the incident as an attack, though evidence supporting this claim has not been immediately provided.
“The driver was neutralized at the scene,” the Israeli military stated, without identifying the driver or providing further details.
The Magen David Adom rescue service reported that they are treating the injured man, who is in critical condition.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increased violence in the West Bank, where Palestinians have carried out stabbing, shooting, and car-ramming attacks against Israelis in recent years. The Israeli army conducts near-daily raids in Palestinian communities, claiming these operations aim to dismantle militant groups and prevent attacks.
The escalation of violence since the October 7 Hamas attack has further complicated peace efforts in the region. International humanitarian organizations continue to express concern over the mounting civilian casualties and the deteriorating living conditions in Gaza.
As the conflict enters its sixth month, diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire or find a long-term solution to the Israel-Palestine issue have yet to yield significant results. The international community remains divided on how to address the crisis, with calls for both sides to exercise restraint and work towards a peaceful resolution.
The ongoing violence underscores the urgent need for a diplomatic breakthrough to prevent further loss of life and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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