An alleged Israeli airstrike struck a mosque in central Gaza on Sunday, killing 18 people, according to Palestinian medical officials. The mosque, located near al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, was reportedly sheltering displaced individuals. Hospital records indicated all the victims were men, with two others critically injured.
The Israeli military has yet to comment on the incident.
As of October 7, 2023, the death toll in Gaza has reportedly risen to nearly 42,000, according to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Health Ministry. This figure includes both civilians and militants, though women and children are also among the dead.
Meanwhile, Hamas stated that an Israeli strike on a refugee camp in northern Lebanon killed Hamas official Saeed Atallah Ali and his family. Another Hamas member was also killed in an Israeli strike in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.
Israel has intensified its ground operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, resulting in the deaths of 9 Israeli soldiers and nearly 2,000 Hezbollah fighters and civilians in southern Lebanon. Tensions remain high as Israel and Hezbollah continue to exchange fire across the Lebanon-Israel border, following Hamas’ cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and 250 taken hostage. Israel declared war on Hamas in response.
Ahead of the anniversary of the October 7 attack, Israel heightened its military readiness, anticipating potential retaliatory attacks. Military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed that forces are on high alert.
Earlier in the month, Iran launched an attack on Israel following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, prompting Israel to vow retaliation.
