Israeli strikes kill 24 in Gaza

### Gaza Health Officials Report 24 Killed in Israeli Air Strikes

Gaza health officials reported that Israeli air strikes on Saturday killed at least 24 people in the northern part of the territory. This follows an earlier report from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) indicating that 22 people were killed in shelling that damaged its office.

The strikes in Gaza City added to a toll of at least 120 deaths over the previous 48 hours, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry earlier on Saturday. Dr. Mahmud Aliwa of Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City confirmed that his facility received 24 bodies after the strikes, which caused smoke to rise over the city.

### Specific Incidents and Casualties

Mahmud Basal, a spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defense agency, told AFP that 20 people were killed in a strike on a house in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood. Additionally, four people died in a strike on the Al-Shati refugee camp. Eyewitness Abu Mahmud al-Kariri described the sudden devastation, noting that people were going about their business when the air strike hit, wiping out the entire area.

In a scene of destruction, men were seen using a donkey cart to transport some of the dead from Al-Tuffah.

### Israeli Military Operations

Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli military stated that its fighter jets were targeting “two Hamas military infrastructure sites” in the Gaza City area.

### International Reactions and Responses

Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign affairs chief, called for an “independent investigation” into the shelling that damaged the ICRC office. Jordan, which has a peace treaty with Israel, condemned Israel’s “systematic targeting” of civilians and relief organizations.

### ICRC and Local Reports

The ICRC reported late Friday that 22 dead and 45 wounded were brought to a field hospital after shelling near its southern Gaza office. William Schomburg, the local ICRC chief, described scenes of carnage with “piles of dead bodies, blood everywhere,” and many wounded seeking help.

Gaza’s health ministry blamed Israel for the shelling, reporting 25 killed and 50 wounded in the Al-Mawasi area, where many displaced Palestinians are sheltering in tents. The Israeli military stated that their initial inquiry found “no direct attack” on a Red Cross facility, but they are reviewing the incident and will share findings with international partners.

### On-the-Ground Conflict

Witnesses reported gun battles in Gaza City between militants and Israeli forces, supported by helicopter fire.

### Context of the Conflict

The current Gaza war began on October 7 with a large-scale attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians. Hamas also took captives, with 116 believed to still be in Gaza, although the Israeli army says 41 of them are dead.

Israel’s retaliatory strikes have killed at least 37,551 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

### Political Reactions in Israel

Ongoing negotiations for a Gaza truce and hostage release have stalled. Despite the mediation efforts of Qatar, no agreement has been reached. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners are strongly against a ceasefire.

Saturday night saw what organizers called the largest anti-government protest since the war began, with tens of thousands rallying in Tel Aviv. Protesters accused Netanyahu of failing the country and endangering civilians. Supporters and families of the Gaza hostages also participated in the rally.

### Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The war has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, leaving residents in dire need of food, fuel, and other essentials. In Jabalia, the al-Balawi family is living in makeshift conditions, facing severe shortages of food and water.

“The scarcity of food and water is dire,” said Abu Siraj al-Balawi. “There are no vegetables or fruit available.”

The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as the conflict drags on, with both sides suffering significant casualties and displacement.