A series of Israeli airstrikes killed at least 25 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Friday, medics said, adding that at least eight died in an apartment in the Nuseirat refugee camp.
At least 10, including seven children, were killed in the town of Jabalia.
The strike in Jabalia claimed the lives of 10 members of a family, seven of whom are children, according to Gaza’s civil defense rescue agency, reported AFP.
“There are 10 martyrs … all targeted by an air strike on their home in Jabalia al-Nazla, southwest of Jabalia. All of the martyrs are from the same family, including seven children, the oldest aged six,” civil defense agency spokesman Mahmoud Bassal told AFP.
Meanwhile, Pope Francis condemned the bombing of children in Gaza as “cruelty”, reported Al Jazeera. “Yesterday children were bombed. This is cruelty, this is not war,” he said. “I want to say it because it touches my heart,” he said.
Calling Gaza a “graveyard” as heavy winter rains, hunger, dire living conditions and ongoing hostilities continue to endanger lives, UNRWA (the United Nations’ Palestinian refugee agency) Senior Emergency Officer Louise Wateridge, as quoted by Al Jazeera, said: “An entire society here is now a graveyard … Over two million people are trapped.”
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza a week ago killed at least 66 Palestinians and wounded 50.
Mediators have yet to secure a ceasefire between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas after more than a year of conflict.
Sources close to the discussions told Reuters on Thursday that Qatar and Egypt had been able to resolve some differences between the warring parties but sticking points remained.
Israel began its assault on Gaza after Hamas-led fighters attacked Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel says about 100 hostages are still being held, but it is unclear how many are alive.
Authorities in Gaza say Israel’s campaign has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians and displaced most of the population of 2.3 million. Much of the coastal enclave is in ruins.
(With inputs from Reuters)
