Two Israeli air strikes on buildings in Gaza City have led to the deaths of at least 38 people and left many more injured, according to statements from Hamas. The strikes, which targeted residential areas, have caused significant destruction and panic among the local population.
The Israeli military has confirmed the air strikes, stating that warplanes targeted Hamas military infrastructure sites. Further details on the operations are expected to be provided by the Israeli military.
One of the strikes hit a residential block in the al-Shati area, which is one of Gaza’s historic refugee camps. A spokesman for Gaza’s civil defense reported that the building was hit multiple times. The second strike targeted houses in the al-Tuffah district, as confirmed by the Hamas-run government media office.
Footage from the scene showed chaotic efforts to rescue the wounded and search for survivors amid the wreckage, with dust and debris filling the streets. Earlier estimates had placed the death toll at 42, indicating the fluid and devastating nature of the situation.
This escalation is part of Israel’s ongoing campaign to destroy Hamas, which was launched in response to an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7. During that attack, approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed, and 251 others were taken hostage by Hamas.
Since the beginning of the conflict, more than 37,551 people have been killed in Gaza, according to figures from the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. The reported deaths include a significant number of civilians, with 14,680 children, women, and elderly people identified among the dead by the end of April.