Airstrikes in northern Gaza targeted a school housing displaced families and a children's hospital on Wednesday, killing at least 10 people and bringing the day's death toll to 20, according to local health authorities. The attack on Yafa School in Gaza City's Tuffah area ignited tents and classrooms, with witnesses describing scenes of chaos as residents scrambled to salvage belongings from charred debris.
Medics reported that the strike left furniture smoldering hours later, while separate Israeli attacks elsewhere in Gaza claimed 10 additional lives. Since March 18, Gaza health officials state over 1,600 Palestinians have been killed, displacing hundreds of thousands amidst intensified military operations.
In a separate incident, an Israeli missile struck Durra Children's Hospital, damaging its intensive care unit and solar power system. Though no fatalities occurred there, the attack further strained Gaza's collapsing healthcare infrastructure, already crippled by Israel's blockade on fuel and electricity since early March.
Israel maintains the blockade pressures Hamas to release 59 remaining hostages from the group's October 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis. Hamas has conditioned hostage releases on a permanent ceasefire agreement. Gaza's Health Ministry highlighted rescue challenges, citing destroyed bulldozers and ongoing bombardments blocking access to trapped victims.
The Israeli military stated Tuesday it targeted 40 "engineering vehicles" allegedly used in "terrorist actions," including Hamas' initial assault. Palestinian authorities report over 51,000 deaths since hostilities began, with humanitarian conditions worsening daily.
