Israeli fire reportedly results in the loss of 44 lives as reported by Gaza civil defence units.
In the heart of Gaza City, a city teeming with nearly one million residents, the remnants of a devastating Israeli offensive continue to haunt its streets. The latest airstrikes have left a trail of destruction, claiming the lives of innocent civilians and displacing countless families.
According to reports from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, at least 64,231 Palestinians have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict, the majority of whom were civilians. The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable.
One such tragedy unfolded in the neighbourhood of Tel al-Hawa, where a tent sheltering a displaced Palestinian family was struck, resulting in the death of five people, including three children. Israa al-Basous, a resident of the area, recounted the harrowing experience of losing her tent and family members during the bombing.
In the Nuseirat refugee camp, another airstrike claimed the lives of seven individuals, including three children. The entire tent was destroyed, along with everyone inside.
The Israeli military has requested timeframes and coordinates to comment on specific incidents. However, the offensive has led a senior military official to estimate that a million Palestinians would flee south if the new offensive captures Gaza City.
Amidst the chaos, scenes of mourning are common. A woman was seen mourning over her dead son outside in Gaza City. At Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital, bodies wrapped in white shrouds are being received.
The conflict, initiated by Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, is being extensively covered by AFP. In Tel al-Hawa, Palestinians are clearing up damaged tents and scattered belongings, their lives forever altered by the violence.
Meanwhile, Israel has been building up its forces on the outskirts of Gaza City, the largest urban center in the Palestinian territory. The United Nations has declared famine in the territory's north where Gaza City is located, adding to the already dire situation.
The death toll from the Israeli retaliatory offensive, as per an AFP tally based on Israeli figures, stands at 1,219, mostly civilians. As the conflict rages on, the world watches, hoping for a resolution that brings peace and justice to the people of Gaza.
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