Israeli airstrikes on a mosque and a school in central Gaza killed 26 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. These strikes, which occurred early Sunday morning, targeted the Ibn Rushd school and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs mosque in Deir al-Balah, where displaced Palestinians were seeking shelter. In addition to the fatalities, dozens of people were injured, with the ministry reporting severe damage to both locations.
The Israeli military stated that the targets were Hamas militants using the mosque and school as command and control centers for their operations. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) executed the strikes in an effort to dismantle Hamas’ military infrastructure in the area. The IDF emphasized that measures had been taken to minimize civilian casualties, citing the use of precision weaponry, aerial surveillance, and intelligence-gathering efforts. Despite these precautions, the attacks caused significant loss of life and injuries among civilians.
Verified footage from the scene, confirmed by the BBC, depicted the devastating aftermath of the strikes. In the video from the mosque, bodies could be seen lying amidst the rubble, with blood staining the ground. The school was also heavily damaged, with parts of it engulfed in flames, and footage captured rescuers pulling a man out on a stretcher.
Earlier reports from Hamas-run agencies indicated that the mosque strike alone had killed 21 people and injured many more. Data from Gaza’s Hamas-run media office reported that at least 93 people were injured in the airstrikes. Sunday’s attacks took place almost a year after Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 251 hostages. Since then, violence between Israel and Hamas has intensified, particularly in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict has taken a severe toll on the population of Gaza. According to the health ministry, since the onset of the conflict following Hamas’ 2023 attack, over 41,870 Palestinians have been killed, with more than 97,000 injured. The health ministry’s figures do not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties, and these numbers have been used by international organizations such as the United Nations, which considers them to be reliable.
In a statement following the mosque strike, Hamas condemned Israel for “bombing citizens’ homes and demolishing them over their heads,” leading to mass casualties. The IDF, in response, reiterated its stance that Hamas uses civilian infrastructure, including schools and mosques, as shields for its military activities. The IDF accused Hamas of exploiting these civilian sites to carry out terrorist acts, stating that it had targeted these locations only after gathering intelligence and observing militant activity.
In a separate strike later on Sunday, the IDF reported targeting another school in northern Gaza, which it claimed was being used as a Hamas command and control center. Hamas, however, denied using schools or other civilian buildings for military purposes, disputing the IDF’s justification for these strikes.
In addition to the central Gaza strikes, Israeli forces have been conducting operations in northern Gaza, particularly around the Jabalia area. The IDF reported surrounding the area in response to efforts by Hamas to rebuild its military infrastructure. During these operations, the military said it struck “dozens of military targets,” which included armed militants and weapons storage facilities.
As tensions escalate, the IDF has issued warnings to the public in Gaza, advising civilians to evacuate certain areas due to ongoing military operations. The military released a new map indicating potential evacuation zones in the north and warned residents that northern Gaza remains a dangerous combat zone. At the same time, the IDF expanded the humanitarian zone in al-Mawasi, located in southern Gaza, though it is reportedly smaller than it had been earlier in the year.
Despite the establishment of a humanitarian zone, both the mosque and the school that were hit on Sunday are situated within this designated area. The IDF also announced the reopening of two evacuation routes from northern Gaza to facilitate the movement of civilians into safer areas.
The situation in Gaza is further complicated by the lack of independent verification on the ground. Israel does not grant international journalists, including those from major news organizations like the BBC, direct access to Gaza. This restriction makes it challenging for external observers to independently verify the details of the conflict and the reported casualties.
The current conflict follows the devastating attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which marked a turning point in Israeli-Palestinian relations. That attack, which killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and led to the abduction of 251 individuals, sparked widespread military retaliation from Israel. Over the past year, the violence has continued to escalate, leading to thousands of deaths and injuries on both sides.
As the conflict enters another year, international attention remains focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The densely populated territory, which has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007, continues to suffer from severe shortages of basic necessities, including food, water, medical supplies, and fuel. The destruction of civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, has further compounded the difficulties faced by the Palestinian population.
The United Nations and other international organizations have repeatedly called for ceasefires and humanitarian aid corridors to be established, urging both sides to protect civilians and abide by international law. However, the ongoing hostilities and deep-seated political tensions make the prospects for peace uncertain.
In light of the strikes on civilian buildings such as the mosque and school, international human rights organizations have raised concerns about the protection of civilians in conflict zones. While Israel maintains that it takes steps to minimize civilian casualties and targets only militant infrastructure, the high number of civilian deaths has led to widespread condemnation and calls for accountability.
Hamas, for its part, has continued to deny accusations that it uses civilian sites for military purposes, asserting that Israel’s strikes on civilian buildings amount to war crimes. The group has also maintained its stance of resistance against Israeli occupation, vowing to continue its fight for Palestinian self-determination.
As the conflict rages on, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. According to the United Nations, from September 30 to October 4 alone, 187 Palestinians were killed in Gaza. These numbers are part of the larger death toll that has steadily increased over the past year. Civilians in Gaza, particularly those displaced by the fighting, continue to face immense challenges as they try to survive in a war-torn environment with limited access to basic services.
Both the mosque and school targeted in Sunday’s airstrikes were reportedly serving as shelters for displaced Palestinians, highlighting the vulnerability of civilians caught in the crossfire. With the conflict showing no signs of abating, the people of Gaza continue to bear the brunt of the violence, and efforts to bring about a lasting peace remain elusive.
In the midst of this ongoing violence, Israel has expressed its commitment to dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities while also working to minimize civilian casualties. However, the challenges of distinguishing between militants and civilians in such a densely populated area remain significant, and the strikes on civilian sites have raised important questions about the rules of engagement in urban warfare.
As international attention continues to focus on the situation in Gaza, the need for a comprehensive and peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has never been more urgent. Without meaningful progress towards a negotiated settlement, the cycle of violence is likely to continue, with devastating consequences for both Israelis and Palestinians.
