At least 17 people were killed and 39 others wounded when an Israeli airstrike hit a residential building in Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp on Friday evening, according to Palestinian civil defense officials.
The attack, which occurred in central Gaza, caused extensive damage to neighboring houses in the densely populated refugee camp. Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the Gaza civil defense agency, confirmed the casualties to AFP while noting that rescue operations were still ongoing at the strike site.
Medical personnel at Al-Awda hospital reported receiving 14 bodies from the incident. The Israeli military has not responded to requests for comment on the attack.
Key Points:
- Death toll: 17 killed, 39 wounded
- Location: Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza
- Time: Early evening on Friday
- Multiple nearby buildings damaged
- Rescue operations continuing
The latest strike adds to the mounting civilian casualties in Gaza since the conflict began following Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which killed 1,208 people, mostly civilians. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are considered reliable by the UN, Israel’s military response in Gaza has resulted in at least 44,612 deaths, with civilians comprising the majority of casualties.
The ongoing conflict has raised international concerns about civilian protection and humanitarian conditions in Gaza, as military operations continue to impact residential areas and refugee camps where displaced Palestinians have sought shelter.
