An Israeli airstrike on Friday resulted in the death of 76 members of an extended family in Gaza, according to rescue officials. The strike targeted a building in Gaza City, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has entered its 12th week. Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defence department, provided a partial list of the victims, revealing that 16 heads of households from the al-Mughrabi family were among those killed, including women and children.
The casualties included Issam al-Mughrabi, a veteran employee of the UN Development Program, his wife, and their five children. The UN Development Program’s head, Achim Steiner, expressed deep sorrow over their loss and emphasized that the UN and civilians in Gaza should not be targeted, urging an end to the war.
Israel initiated the conflict after Hamas militants crossed the border on October 7, resulting in casualties and hostages. Israel aims to continue the offensive until Hamas is dismantled, and all hostages are freed. The war has had devastating consequences, with over 20,000 Palestinians killed and more than 53,000 wounded in Gaza, which has been under Hamas rule for the past 16 years.
Israel attributes the high civilian death toll to Hamas’ use of residential areas for military purposes and the presence of tunnels under urban areas. The UN Security Council recently adopted a resolution, albeit watered down, calling for an immediate acceleration of aid deliveries to civilians in Gaza. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated the need for a humanitarian ceasefire, expressing concerns about Israel’s offensive hindering aid distribution.
Israel’s military campaign, backed by the Biden administration, has displaced a significant portion of Gaza’s population, leaving nearly 85% of its 2.3 million people displaced. The conflict has led to widespread destruction, and a UN report indicated that over half a million people in Gaza are facing starvation.
As Israel expands its ground offensive, with a focus on the south, the military has transferred over 700 alleged militants from Gaza to Israel for further questioning. The UN resolution’s impact on aid delivery remains uncertain, and Israel’s insistence on inspecting aid entering Gaza has been a point of contention.
Despite the UN resolution, the conflict continues, with both sides engaging in airstrikes and ground operations. The situation remains dire, and international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza face significant challenges.