Israeli Airstrike Devastates Jabalya Refugee Camp in Gaza

An Israeli strike on the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza killed at least 27 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The strike hit near a UN school, with children under 10 among the casualties. Further south in the Bureij refugee camp, at least 15 people were killed in Israeli strikes.

The Gaza health ministry reported that 9,061 people have been killed in nearly four weeks of Israeli strikes and a recent ground assault. Hamas is considering a proposal for a 40-day ceasefire and an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, but has not yet responded to the Israeli truce proposal.

The strike on Jabalya resulted in significant destruction and casualties. Louise Wateridge, a communications officer with the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees (UNRWA), documented the widespread damage during her recent visit to the region, including abandoned UNRWA facilities turned into shelters and unmarked graves. The ongoing humanitarian crisis has left people struggling to access food and basic necessities.

Why this matters: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to claim lives and cause immense suffering, particularly for civilians in Gaza. The international community has called for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the long-standing dispute.

The attacks on Jabalya have sparked widespread condemnation from the international community, including the UN Secretary-General and US Senator Bernie Sanders. The Jabalya refugee camp, home to 116,000 residents, has a long history of violence and suffering, having been established by the UN in 1948 after the Arab-Israeli war. The ongoing blockade of Gaza has compounded the misery of the camp's population, leading to high unemployment, power cuts, and a lack of construction materials to repair damage from previous attacks.

Key Takeaways

• Israeli strike on Jabalya refugee camp killed at least 27, including children.
• Gaza health ministry reports 9,061 killed in nearly 4 weeks of Israeli strikes.
• Widespread damage and humanitarian crisis documented in Jabalya refugee camp.
• International community calls for ceasefire and peaceful resolution to conflict.
• Jabalya camp has long history of violence, compounded by Gaza blockade.