Israeli airstrikes pounded Gaza City in the early hours of Thursday, killing at least 11 people and wounding dozens more, according to Palestinian medical officials. The strikes targeted residential buildings and a busy market area, sending plumes of smoke and dust into the night sky. Ambulances rushed through the debris-packed streets as families dug through rubble looking for survivors.
The escalation comes after weeks of rising tensions, including clashes at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound and rocket fire from militant groups in Gaza. The Israeli military said the strikes were a response to an imminent threat, but did not provide further details. Witnesses reported multiple explosions heard across the city, with one strike hitting a four-storey home where several families lived.
Among the dead were three children and two women, said Dr. Marwan al-Hams, director of the Al-Shifa hospital. "The numbers are rising as rescue teams reach more collapsed buildings. We are overwhelmed." The strike on the market area left stalls and goods destroyed, a scene of twisted metal and shattered concrete.
International condemnation has been swift. The United Nations called for an immediate de-escalation, while neighbouring Egypt and Qatar offered to mediate. The United States expressed concern but stopped short of condemning Israel, reiterating its right to self-defence.
In Gaza, the strikes have revived memories of the 2014 war, which killed over 2,000 Palestinians. Power cuts and fuel shortages are hampering rescue efforts. The last ceasefire in 2021 ended after 11 days of fighting, but underlying issues remain unresolved.
On the ground, fear and anger are palpable. "We don't know where to run. They hit everywhere," said Umm Mohammed, a mother of five who lost her brother in the attack. Her neighbour, Abu Ahmad, added: "This is collective punishment. The world watches but does nothing."
As dawn breaks, the death toll is expected to rise. The situation remains volatile, with no signs of a ceasefire yet.
