Israeli airstrike hits Gaza house, several casualties

Several Palestinians were reported killed or injured following an Israeli airstrike on a house in the Shejaia neighborhood of Gaza City, according to the Gaza health ministry. Emergency responders and affected locals rushed to the scene to assist the injured and clear debris. The incident comes amid Israel’s recent resumption of bombardments in Gaza after a two-month truce, which restarted on March 18, as Israeli forces reentered the enclave. Over the past three weeks, nearly 1,500 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives in Israeli strikes on Hamas-run Gaza.

Prior to this latest strike, Israel had ordered residents in the area of Shejaia to evacuate, stating that operations were planned against militants. The Israeli military has maintained that efforts are made to avoid civilian casualties, a claim that is met with skepticism given the high numbers of casualties in densely populated areas like Shejaia.

In a previous airstrike on a four-story residential building in the same neighborhood, at least 23 people were killed, including eight women and eight children, with more than 70 injured and over 20 still unaccounted for. Shejaia had already suffered extensive damage during earlier incursions in June and July 2024, which displaced approximately 80,000 residents and resulted in widespread infrastructure destruction.

The violence resurged following the breakdown of an eight-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Israel has accused Hamas of failing to halt provocations, while Hamas and its supporters blame the Israeli military operations for escalating the conflict. International mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and support from the United States have increased their efforts to restore calm, although little progress has been made.

Rescue operations continue as international calls for intervention and humanitarian aid intensify, highlighting the mounting crisis and the urgent need for a durable ceasefire and renewed peace efforts.