GAZA CITY — An Israeli airstrike in central Gaza has killed 11 Palestinians, including a mother and her six children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The strike, one of many in the ongoing conflict, has left the community in mourning.
At Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, scenes of grief unfolded as women and children wept over the bodies of the deceased. The victims included children as young as 18 months old, with the oldest just 15.
The conflict erupted on October 7 when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.
“An entire civilian family—a mother and six children—what was their crime? What was their crime in front of the world?” asked Mohammad Khattab, a Gaza resident, in a voice filled with anguish. “Let Biden himself come and explain the reason behind this. What did these people do? Did they kill a Jew? Did they shoot at the Jews? Did they launch rockets at the Jews? Did they destroy the state of Israel? What did they do? What did they do to deserve this? These six children have turned into remains. What did they do, and what was their crime? Will this bring security to Israel?”
The ongoing Israeli military campaign, launched in response to the Hamas attack, has resulted in the deaths of more than 40,000 Palestinians, most of whom are civilians, according to Palestinian health authorities. Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble. Israel has stated that it has killed 17,000 Hamas fighters during the conflict.
The devastating toll on civilian life continues to fuel outrage and despair among Palestinians, as the war shows no sign of abating.
