At least 44 people were killed in Gaza on Thursday as Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple locations, including a police station in the densely populated Jabalia area. The attack, which Israel said was aimed at a Hamas command centre, also left dozens injured and highlighted the growing toll of the ongoing military campaign that has devastated lives, homes, and medical infrastructure in the region.
Local health officials reported that two missiles struck the Jabalia police station near a busy market, killing at least 10 people and injuring many others. While the identities of those killed were not immediately confirmed, medics described scenes of chaos as emergency teams struggled to manage the influx of wounded civilians.
Israel defends strike as targeting militant operations
The Israeli military later confirmed it had carried out the strike, stating it was aimed at a command and control centre used jointly by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. According to the statement, the targeted facility was allegedly being used to coordinate attacks against Israeli forces. Israel also accused Palestinian groups of using civilian infrastructure for military purposes—claims denied by Hamas and other factions.
In addition to the Jabalia strike, at least 34 more people were killed in separate Israeli air raids across Gaza on the same day, bringing the total death toll to 44. The continued bombardment comes amid Israel’s broader campaign launched in response to the October 7 Hamas attack in 2023.
Health system on the brink amid relentless attacks
The Gaza Health Ministry announced that the Durra Children’s Hospital in Gaza City was no longer operational after an Israeli strike damaged its intensive care unit and destroyed its solar power system. While no fatalities were reported in the hospital attack, the damage added to the mounting crisis in Gaza’s healthcare sector, already crippled by months of conflict.
Israel’s military also reported that one of its soldiers was killed in northern Gaza combat, and two others were seriously wounded. Since a ceasefire collapsed in mid-March, Israeli strikes have killed more than 1,900 Palestinians, many of them civilians, and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Ongoing diplomatic efforts led by Egypt and Qatar, with US backing, have so far failed to mediate a resolution. The conflict, which began after Hamas killed 1,200 people and abducted 251 others in October, has since claimed over 51,300 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza health authorities.
