In a recent Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, 13 family members, including four toddlers, lost their lives, as reported by a family member and journalist Hassan Eslayeh.
Quick Facts
- Immediate Casualties: The airstrike resulted in the death of 17 individuals, with 25 others injured. Among the deceased were four toddlers from the Abu Daqqa family.
- Property Damage: Mohammad Abu Daqqa, a relative of the victims, revealed that five residential buildings, each three or four stories tall, were obliterated in the attack.
- Background: The airstrike comes in the backdrop of Israel’s formal declaration of war on Hamas, the controlling authority in Gaza, recognized as a terror organization by several nations.
The tragic incident in Khan Younis has drawn significant attention, especially with the heart-wrenching images of the four toddlers from the Abu Daqqa family, wrapped in white and displayed in a Gaza hospital morgue. These images, which have been widely circulated on social media, depict the severe head injuries sustained by the toddlers.
According to Mohammad Abu Daqqa, the intensity of the airstrike was such that it brought down multiple residential buildings. He recounted the horror, stating, “They hit us with two or three barrels of explosives and brought the entire buildings down.” The devastation and loss have led to calls for international intervention. Abu Daqqa urged both Arab and European nations, as well as the United Nations, to step in and address the escalating situation, emphasizing the dire circumstances they are currently facing.
It’s essential to understand the broader context of this incident. Hamas, an Islamist militant group labeled as a terror organization by entities like the US, European Union, and Israel, governs Gaza. This densely populated region houses approximately 2 million Palestinians. The recent airstrike and the subsequent casualties are part of a larger conflict, with Israel intensifying its airstrikes on Gaza following Hamas’s surprise attack. Since the onset of these hostilities, the Palestinian Ministry of Health has reported at least 370 Palestinian deaths and 2,200 injuries.
| For Further Reading | Hamas: An Islamist militant group, Hamas has been in control of Gaza since 2007. Recognized as a terror organization by the US, European Union, and Israel, its relations with Israel have been marked by conflict and ceasefires. The group’s political and military wings aim for the establishment of a Palestinian state, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. [Wikipedia] |
Q&A
Why did Israel target Khan Younis in Gaza?
The airstrike in Khan Younis came in the backdrop of Israel’s formal declaration of war on Hamas after the group’s surprise attack. This set the stage for a significant military response, with Israel intensifying its airstrikes on Gaza.
How has the international community responded to the situation?
The international community’s response has varied, but there have been calls for intervention and peace talks. The immediate family affected by the airstrike has specifically urged Arab and European nations, as well as the UN, to intervene.
What is the current situation in Gaza following the airstrikes?
The situation remains tense, with ongoing airstrikes and hostilities. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has reported significant casualties, with at least 370 deaths and 2,200 injuries since the conflict’s escalation.
Original article source: CNN’s Kareem Khadder, Ibrahim Dahman, and Mohammed Tawfeeq
