Israeli forces killed at least 17 people early Tuesday in attacks on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, marking another devastating incident in the ongoing conflict. The strikes come on the heels of a recent operation in which Israel’s military killed over 270 Palestinians to rescue four hostages.
Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud reported from central Gaza, stating that it had “been another bloody night” in the area. Israeli forces targeted two homes in Nuseirat that were “accommodating displaced families who had recently evacuated from Rafah.” The first strike killed 10 people, including women and children, with five from the same family. “We’re looking at double the number of injuries. More people are still trapped under the rubble,” Mahmoud added. An hour later, a second attack targeted another family’s home, resulting in casualties that included parents, children, and grandparents.
“Another day, another Israeli war crime,” wrote Progressive International co-founder Yanis Varoufakis in response to the strikes.
The initial strike on Nuseirat refugee camp killed 10 people, including women and children. Five victims were from the same family. Many others were injured, and numerous individuals remained trapped under the rubble following the attack. An hour later, a second strike targeted another family’s home, killing the parents, their children, and the grandparents. The attacks left the community reeling and underscored the severe human toll of the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli military carried out Tuesday’s strikes on Nuseirat less than two weeks after an operation at the same refugee camp resulted in the deaths of at least 274 Palestinians. This previous operation was aimed at rescuing hostages taken during the Hamas-led October 7 attack on southern Israel. The recent escalation has brought renewed scrutiny to Israel’s military tactics and their compliance with international laws of war.
An Associated Press investigation detailed how Israel’s relentless, U.S.-backed bombardment of Gaza is wiping out entire Palestinian families. Examining 10 deadly Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip between October and December, the outlet found that “in no case was there an obvious military target or direct warning to those inside.” The analyzed strikes killed more than 500 people from several families. “Nearly every Palestinian family has suffered grievous, multiple losses,” the AP observed. “But many have been decimated, particularly in the first months of the war.”
The United Nations Human Rights Office recently commented on the Israeli operations in Gaza, stating that the number of Palestinian civilians killed during the operations “seriously calls into question whether the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution—as set out under the laws of war—were respected by the Israeli forces.”
In response to the strikes, Progressive International co-founder Yanis Varoufakis condemned the actions, labeling them as war crimes. Residents of Rafah, a city in southern Gaza that has faced continued assault, also expressed their desperation. Reuters reported “heavy bombardments from tanks and planes in several areas” on Tuesday. One resident, identified as a father of six, said, “Rafah is being bombed without any intervention from the world, the occupation is acting freely here.” Another resident, displaced to central Gaza, stated, “With every hour of delay, Israel kills more people. We want a cease-fire now. Enough of our blood, I say it to Israel, America, and our leaders too. The war must stop.”
The humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict is severe. The attacks on Nuseirat and other parts of Gaza have displaced over a million people, with many fleeing to Rafah. However, the continued bombardment has further imperiled efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the starving Palestinian population. Personal accounts from residents highlight the devastating effect of the conflict on civilians, with constant bombardments and high casualties.
International media outlets have extensively covered the attacks on Nuseirat, with reports from Al Jazeera, Reuters, and the Associated Press providing detailed accounts of the incidents and their aftermath. Global political leaders and organizations have reacted to the attacks, urging restraint and adherence to international law. Calls for a cease-fire have been echoed by various entities, emphasizing the urgent need for a halt to the violence.
The Israeli military’s strategies in Gaza, particularly in densely populated civilian areas, have raised significant legal and ethical concerns. The use of heavy bombardments in residential areas has led to questions about compliance with international humanitarian law. Experts in international law have highlighted potential war crimes and violations of legal responsibilities by the Israeli military.
The attacks on the Nuseirat refugee camp underscore the severe human toll of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. With at least 17 people killed in the latest strikes, including women, children, and entire families, the humanitarian and legal concerns surrounding the conflict continue to mount.
“Rafah is being bombed without any intervention from the world, the occupation is acting freely here,” said a father of six from Rafah.
COMMENTS