On Thursday (April 24), Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry said that Israel launched an airstrike on a police station in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, causing at least 10 people to be killed. The Israeli military stated that they targeted a command center used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants to plan and carry out attacks against Israeli forces.
Medical personnel reported that two Israeli missiles hit the police station, resulting in the deaths of 10 individuals and injuries to dozens more. The police station is located near a market.
The Israeli military accused Palestinian armed groups, particularly Hamas, of using civilians and civilian property as cover for military activities. Hamas and other factions denied this allegation.
According to the local health department, on the same day, Israeli airstrikes in other areas of Gaza have resulted in at least 34 deaths, bringing the total death toll on Thursday to 44 people.
On Wednesday (April 23), Israel targeted Durra Children’s Hospital in Gaza City, damaging the intensive care unit and destroying the hospital’s solar power system. The Gaza Health Ministry stated that the hospital is now unable to operate normally.
Since the ceasefire agreement broke down on March 18 following a truce in January, Israeli attacks have caused over 1,900 Palestinian fatalities, with hundreds of thousands displaced.
Also on Wednesday, Palestinian President Abbas, leader of the Palestinian Authority, criticized Hamas extremists for refusing to release Israeli hostages in rare strong language. Abbas urged Hamas to release all hostages promptly and end the Gaza conflict.
Israel has vowed to continue the war in Gaza until all hostages are released following the ceasefire breakdown. They also intend to dismantle Hamas’s militant factions or disarm them.
However, Hamas stated that they will not disarm as long as Israel continues to occupy Palestinian territories.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on Israel resulting in 1,200 deaths and 251 individuals taken as hostages. Israel retaliated by launching an offensive on Gaza, sparking the Gaza War.
(This article references reports from Reuters)