At least 500 Palestinian children have lost their lives in Gaza due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes and bombardments since Israel broke the ceasefire with Hamas last month, according to Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defence. The United Nations has also described Gaza as a “post-apocalyptic” zone of mass death and destruction. Israeli airstrikes have killed over 1,500 people in Gaza since Israel resumed its military actions on March 18, with the latest attacks on Saturday leaving at least six dead, including one child.
On Saturday, Israeli air raids targeted multiple areas in Gaza, including Tuffah and Beit Lahiya. Two people died in Tuffah, and two children sustained injuries, while two others perished in Beit Lahiya’s al-Atatra district. Another Palestinian died in a drone attack in the Qizan an-Najjar area south of Khan Younis. Reports also emerged of casualties from air raids on civilian shelters in the al-Mawasi region, west of Khan Younis, which had previously been marked as a “safe zone” by Israel.
Among the grim toll, a newborn girl named Sham was critically injured after her family’s home was hit. Despite efforts, doctors could not save her life. She was one of the six fatalities reported early on Saturday.
The dire situation in Gaza is worsened by forced evacuation orders in Shujayea and Khan Younis, leaving many Palestinians unsure of where to go. Aid groups have warned of a severe lack of medical supplies, making it increasingly difficult for injured civilians, particularly women and children, to receive treatment. The UN’s Ravina Shamdasani confirmed that, between March 18 and April 9, 36 of the 224 Israeli airstrikes resulted in deaths of only women and children, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the violence on non-combatants.
Meanwhile, UNRWA officials have voiced concerns about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, described the situation as a “post-apocalyptic” killing field. Despite this, Israel has vowed to continue its military offensive, with plans to seize more territory in southern Gaza. Approximately 400,000 Palestinians have been displaced since the ceasefire ended, with around 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents forced to flee since October 7, 2023. Human rights organizations have condemned the violence, which has claimed over 50,000 Palestinian lives.
