The war goes on. Yet media continues to post stories in which they think it is some surprise that people are dying during the conflict. As the terrorists love to hide amongst the people in schools and hospitals, it is nearly impossible to get them without civilians being hurt as well.
Under the twilight skies of southern Gaza, a rare scene of communal joy unfolded at a makeshift tent encampment near a school. Families, displaced by the relentless conflict, gathered to watch a football match, a brief respite from the harsh realities surrounding them. The air was filled with the hum of conversation, the clatter of vendors selling smoothies and snacks, and the excited cheers of spectators. But this fleeting moment of normalcy was violently disrupted on Tuesday evening by an Israeli missile strike, transforming the scene into one of horror and chaos.
🚨🇵🇸🇮🇱 ISRAELI MISSILE STRIKES GAZA ENCAMPMENT, KILLING 29 DURING FOOTBALL MATCH
An IDF missile reportedly struck a tent encampment in southern Gaza on Tuesday, killing at least 29 people, mostly women and children, as they gathered to watch a football match at a school.… pic.twitter.com/mK5Ujg2vvu
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 11, 2024
In an instant, the lively gathering turned into a devastating tragedy. At least 29 lives were abruptly cut short, most of them women and children, according to Palestinian officials. Eyewitnesses recalled the sudden shift from jubilation to despair. “They were watching a football match. There were injuries and martyrs. I witnessed this… people thrown around and body parts scattered, blood,” recounted Ghazzal Nasser, a young woman from Abassan. The tranquility was shattered without warning, leaving a landscape of devastation in its wake.
The Israeli military later stated that the strike was aimed at a Hamas fighter involved in the October 7 raid on Israel, which had ignited the current wave of conflict. They claimed the use of a “precise munition,” yet offered no comment on whether they knew civilians were present at the football match. The statement underscored the tragic consequences of precision strikes in densely populated areas.
Footage shows the moment Israeli planes bombed the Al-Awda schoolyard where teenagers from Gaza were playing football.
At least 25 people were killed in strike on school housing displaced people in the southern Gaza Strip, according to medics#SahabatPalestina_ID#GazaGenocide pic.twitter.com/eVVwZwHqtt
— Owner Of Quds (@_Alone_Warrior_) July 10, 2024
In the nearby Nasser Hospital, scenes of grief and mourning unfolded as families prepared for funerals. Asmaa Qudeih, who lost several relatives in the attack, described the chaos: “The schools were overcrowded with people and the street was full too, suddenly a missile hit and destroyed the whole place.” The impact of the strike reverberated through the community, leaving a void filled with sorrow and anger.
As the conflict escalates, Israeli forces continue their aggressive operations in northern and central Gaza. Intense house-to-house searches in Gaza City have displaced even more residents, compounding the humanitarian crisis. Hamas warned that Israel’s renewed offensive threatened to derail ceasefire negotiations slated to resume in Doha.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a meeting with U.S. Middle East envoy Brett McGurk, reiterated his commitment to a ceasefire only if it allowed Israel to continue its military operations until its objectives were met. This stance underscores the complex dynamics at play, where ceasefire terms are deeply contested.
Israeli airstrike targeted a school in Gaza’s Khan Younis, killing 29 P and injured 53.
This incident marked the 4th strike on a school shelter in Gaza within four days, prompting mass evacuations.
The attack occurred while people were playing football outside the school. pic.twitter.com/PBjHVnnhCF
— Current Report (@Currentreport1) July 10, 2024
The humanitarian situation in Gaza grows increasingly dire. Israeli leaflets dropped over Gaza City marked “safe routes” for evacuation, but the continuous bombardment makes escape perilous. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported numerous distress calls from residents trapped in Gaza City, unable to flee due to the intensity of the conflict.
Since the conflict reignited on October 7, following a surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel, the death toll has soared. Health officials in Gaza report over 38,000 Palestinian casualties. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that the military offensive had severely impacted Hamas, claiming that 60% of its fighters were killed or wounded.
In Al-Nuseirat camp, central Gaza, another airstrike claimed the lives of six Palestinians, including children. Khan Younis also saw casualties from additional airstrikes. The relentless cycle of violence continues, with no clear end in sight.
Amidst the urban warfare, the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad engage Israeli forces with anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs. Close-quarters combat intensifies, adding to the toll on both sides. On Tuesday, the Israeli military reported another soldier’s death, further adding to the grim tally of military casualties.
Major Points
- An Israeli missile struck a tent encampment in southern Gaza on Tuesday, killing at least 29 people, mostly women and children, as they watched a football match.
- The strike targeted a Hamas fighter involved in the October 7 raid on Israel, but the missile also hit civilians gathered at the school grounds.
- Israeli military operations in northern and central Gaza continue, with intense house-to-house searches and further displacement of residents.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that any ceasefire must allow Israel to continue its military operations until its objectives are met.
- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, with over 38,000 Palestinian casualties reported and numerous residents trapped in the city due to ongoing bombings.
TL Holcomb – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
