A devastating strike by Israel on Sunday in Gaza City has claimed three Palestinian lives near Al-Azhar University, with medics reporting serious injuries and fatalities in an area crowded with tent camps. The incident marks one of the deadliest since US-backed military operations against Iran began a week ago.
The hospital director, Mohamed Abu Selmia, confirmed the death toll to Reuters. Among those killed were Mohammad Hamduna, a paramedic; Mohammad Abu Shedeq, a student; and Ahmed Lafi. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic with emergency services struggling under severe strain in what is one of Gaza’s most densely populated areas.
The US-Israeli campaign against Iran has seen attacks decrease since its onset, yet Israel has reportedly targeted over 30 Palestinians this week alone without providing any evidence linking those killed to an imminent threat. Medical sources state the strike hit a community sheltering from conflict, causing injuries beyond those already reported.
Both sides have accused each other of breaking ceasefire agreements despite negotiations led by US mediators starting in October. Palestinian health officials report over 640 casualties since fighting resumed on this scale. Israeli military claims four soldiers were killed while Gaza lists at least 72,000 deaths from the two-year conflict with Israel.
Gaza’s devastation stands as a testament to prolonged conflict, with many of its residents living in ruins and suffering daily violence. The current ceasefire remains fragile given continuing violations by both parties, highlighting the necessity for urgent peace efforts.