ISLAMABAD (PEN) : At least 44 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air and ground attacks on Thursday across the Gaza Strip, according to the enclave’s civil defence agency. The deadliest of the incidents reportedly took place at a residential home in central Gaza.
Civil defence official Mohammad al-Mughayyir told that 23 people were killed in a single Israeli strike targeting the Qreinawi family’s home near the Al-Bureij refugee camp. Several others were reported injured or missing.
Additional Casualties Reported Near Aid Centre
Mughayyir also reported that “two people were killed and several injured by Israeli forces’ gunfire this morning near the American aid centre in the Morag axis, southern Gaza Strip.”
When contacted regarding both incidents — the strike on the Al-Bureij home and the shooting near the aid facility the Israeli military said it was investigating.
The aid centre, operated by a U.S.-backed organisation, is part of a newly established aid distribution initiative. While Israel claims the program is designed to prevent humanitarian supplies from reaching Hamas, the project has faced criticism from both the United Nations and the European Union for its potential to disrupt neutral relief operations.
Israeli Military Confirms Broad Offensive
In a separate statement, the Israeli military confirmed that it had conducted widespread operations across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours.
“Among the targets struck were terrorists, military structures, observation and sniper posts that posed a threat to IDF troops in the area, tunnels and additional terrorist infrastructure sites,” the statement said.
Escalation Amid Ongoing Conflict
The latest escalation comes amid intensified Israeli military operations following the breakdown of a ceasefire on March 18. That truce had temporarily halted fighting in a war that began after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel.
That attack left 1,218 people dead, mostly civilians, tally based on Israeli figures. Additionally, 251 hostages were taken during the incursion; Israeli authorities believe 57 remain in Gaza, with 34 presumed dead.
Despite ongoing mediation efforts, a ceasefire deal has yet to materialize.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, Thursday’s casualties raise the total death toll in Gaza since March 18 to at least 3,986. The overall number of deaths in the conflict has now surpassed 54,000, the majority of whom were civilians.
