Israeli Strike Targets Gaza School Amid Ceasefire Negotiations
An Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza's Jabalia area has claimed the lives of at least eight people, including children, local officials report.
GAZA CITY – An Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza's Jabalia area has claimed the lives of at least eight people, including children, local officials report. The attack adds to the ongoing devastation in the region, as Israel intensifies its military operations in Gaza and southern Lebanon.
The school, a designated shelter for families fleeing earlier bombings, had become a symbol of desperation and survival amidst the mounting casualties. Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have resulted in over 46,565 Palestinian deaths and 109,660 injuries, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
Ceasefire Talks in Qatar
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dispatched senior officials, including the heads of Mossad and Shin Bet security agencies, to Qatar. The delegation is set to engage in talks for a ceasefire and negotiate the release of over 200 captives taken by Hamas during its October 7 attack.
Sources close to the negotiations suggest that Qatar has played a key mediatory role, leveraging its ties with Hamas to facilitate dialogue between the conflicting sides.
Lebanon Tensions Escalate
Meanwhile, Israeli forces carried out further strikes on southern Lebanon, targeting suspected Hezbollah positions, even as the Lebanese army began deploying across the region under a ceasefire agreement.
Observers say the escalating violence on multiple fronts could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts, including those brokered by Qatar, to de-escalate the situation and restore stability.
Humanitarian Toll
The catastrophic toll in Gaza has drawn sharp criticism from international humanitarian organizations. The death toll from Israeli airstrikes continues to rise, with children and women making up a significant portion of the casualties.
Calls for immediate global intervention are growing louder, with activists and leaders urging an end to what they describe as an unprecedented humanitarian disaster.
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