Gaza Civil Defence Reports 28 Killed in Israeli Strikes

At least 28 Palestinians were killed on Friday in the Gaza Strip as a result of ongoing Israeli military operations, according to the Gaza Civil Defence Agency.

Spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that 23 people were killed throughout Friday, while an overnight airstrike earlier had taken the lives of five more.

 Breakdown of Reported Casualties

“These attacks hit areas densely populated by civilians, many of whom were already displaced by the ongoing conflict,” said Bassal.

 Israeli Military Statement

The Israeli military confirmed the Thursday night strike on Gaza City, stating it targeted “a key terrorist in the Islamic Jihad terrorist organisation”, a group that has fought alongside Hamas. However, the military did not comment on the broader casualty reports provided by the Gaza Civil Defence. Media Restrictions and Verification Challenges

Due to severe access restrictions and media limitations in Gaza, AFP has been unable to independently verify the figures and details presented by the civil defence and other parties.

 Context of the Conflict

The latest escalation is part of the wider Israeli military campaign that began following a Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023. That assault, which involved incursions into southern Israel, resulted in:

The ongoing violence marks the 22nd month of war, with widespread devastation in Gaza and mounting concerns from humanitarian agencies over the human cost of the conflict.