An Israeli strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza killed at least 33 people, many of whom were from the same family, the al-Sheikh Ali family. The attack, described by Palestinian authorities as a “barbaric and heinous massacre,” targeted a residential block with multiple apartment buildings housing civilians, including children and displaced families.
Medics reported that the Israeli fire struck both a postal office sheltering displaced people and nearby homes, resulting in significant casualties. Over 50 individuals were wounded, and photographs from the scene showed children covered in dust and blood amid the collapsed buildings.
The attack in Nuseirat is part of a broader pattern in Gaza, where many airstrikes have led to the deaths of multiple members of the same family. Since the war began in October 2023, Israeli strikes have killed at least 902 entire families in Gaza, according to the Government Media Office in Gaza.
These attacks are frequently directed at residential areas and facilities where displaced families are taking shelter. While Israel often claims that these buildings are being used by Hamas as operational centers, there is little evidence to support such allegations. Israeli authorities have not yet commented on the Nuseirat strike.
Israeli Airstrike on Nuseirat Refugee Camp Kills 33, Amid Rising Civilian Casualties in Gaza
The ongoing conflict has resulted in a staggering death toll, with more than 44,800 Palestinians killed as of October 2024, half of whom were women and children. Rights groups and experts believe that the actual death toll is likely much higher due to many people being buried under rubble.
On Thursday, Airwars, a civilian harm watchdog, reported that Israel’s aerial campaign in Gaza was the most intense and deadly conflict it had ever documented. The first month of the war saw civilian deaths that were nearly four times higher than any other conflict recorded by Airwars since its founding in 2014.
Israeli airstrikes have also targeted medical facilities, humanitarian workers, and journalists throughout the conflict. Health services in Gaza have been severely strained, and more than 1,000 healthcare workers have been killed since the start of the war.
The Government Media Office in Gaza condemned Israel’s attacks on hospitals and medical centers, noting that these strikes have significantly hindered the ability of medical teams to respond to the crisis. The blockade on medical supplies and equipment has worsened the situation, exacerbating the suffering of Gaza’s population.
The Nuseirat strike occurred in one of Gaza’s eight historic refugee camps, which were established in 1948 following the forced expulsion of Palestinians. These camps are home to many displaced individuals who have lived in difficult conditions for decades.
The Nuseirat attack, along with the killing of Dr. Saeed Jouda in another refugee camp, underscores the brutal impact of the war on civilian infrastructure, including healthcare and residential areas. The ongoing conflict continues to generate significant humanitarian concerns as both sides face mounting casualties and destruction.
