At Least 11 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Strikes: Civil Defence?
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Gaza, Feb 15 (NationPress) The Civil Defence authority of Gaza reported on Sunday that a minimum of 11 Palestinians lost their lives due to Israeli airstrikes throughout the enclave, revising the previous count of nine.
According to Civil Defence Spokesperson Mahmoud Basal, Israeli aircraft executed strikes from dawn until midday across various locations, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
In the Tel al-Hawa area, west of Gaza City, one individual was killed and several others sustained injuries when a drone targeted a group, Basal noted.
Local sources identified the deceased as Sami al-Dahdouh, a member of the Islamic Jihad movement, though the group has not issued a comment.
Basal also mentioned that three individuals were critically injured in a separate drone attack occurring west of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza.
Earlier incidents included 10 fatalities resulting from two airstrikes that hit a tent sheltering displaced individuals at the Jabalia refugee camp in the north, as well as a gathering in Khan Younis in the south, he stated.
Residents reported that Israeli forces have also demolished homes in the Sheikh Zayed area, north of Jabalia, amidst artillery and gunfire.
Additionally, artillery bombardments were reported in the al-Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City.
No immediate response has been provided by Israeli officials regarding the airstrikes carried out on Sunday.
On the previous day, the Israel Defense Forces stated that their troops identified ‘multiple armed terrorists’ emerging from underground structures in northern Gaza, leading to a strike that resulted in two deaths and possibly more.
The military described this incident as a ‘clear violation’ of the ceasefire agreement.
Hamas Spokesperson Hazem Qassem accused Israel of committing ‘massacres’ and breaching the truce seriously.
Since the ceasefire's inception, Gaza health authorities report that 601 Palestinians have been killed and 1,607 injured, with the overall death toll since October 7, 2023, reaching 72,061, alongside 171,715 injuries.
Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that began its second phase last month, violence has persisted in the Palestinian territory, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of breaching the agreement.
Media restrictions and limited access to Gaza have hindered international news organizations in independently verifying casualty figures or providing unrestricted coverage of the ongoing conflict.