Airstrike Hits Condolence Meeting 16 Killed, Over 30 Injured

Gaza (The Uttam Hindu): At least 16 Palestinians were killed and more than 30 injured in Israeli air strikes in the northern Gaza Strip, according to Gaza health officials.

The attack took place on Wednesday in the Salatin area of ​​Beit Lahiya, where people had held a mourning ceremony for the victims of earlier Israeli attacks, Xinhua reported, citing Palestinian news agency WAFA. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incident.

This attack took place amid new attacks by the Israeli army in Gaza. Israel says that its attacks are targeting Hamas terrorists. According to Gaza health officials, more than 430 Palestinians have been killed since Tuesday. During this time, the ceasefire that was in place since January 19 ended. More than 170 children and 80 women are also among those killed.

The Israeli military says these attacks are being carried out to "eliminate Hamas threats" and will continue until their "strategic goals" are achieved. At the same time, Palestinian health officials have warned that Gaza's hospitals are overcrowded with injured people and emergency services are not able to function properly.

Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, said on Wednesday that the airstrikes of the past two days were "just the beginning." He warned, "More serious attacks will follow, and you will pay a full price."

On Wednesday, Hamas' media office said Gaza's two million people were facing acute food shortages and a humanitarian crisis of a magnitude never seen before. The situation was worsening because of Israel's blockade and border closures.

The office said many bakeries had closed, making even bread hard to come by. He accused Israel of depriving Gaza of “the most basic necessities of life.” He demanded the immediate opening of the border, saying that if this did not happen, millions of people could face starvation.