CurrentReport Blog The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has reported that 26 people were killed following Israeli airstrikes early Sunday morning in Deir al-Balah, a central area of Gaza. The strikes hit Ibn Rushd school and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs mosque, both of which were sheltering displaced Palestinians. In addition to the fatalities, dozens more were injured.
The Israeli military confirmed the airstrikes, stating that the mosque and school were being used as “command and control” centres by Hamas militants. The incident comes amidst heightened tensions, as Israeli forces have surrounded the Jabalia area in northern Gaza, responding to what they claim are Hamas efforts to rebuild in the region.
Videos from the mosque site showed bodies and blood among the rubble, while footage from the school revealed a building engulfed in flames, with victims being pulled from the debris. Hamas has accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilian areas, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life.
In response, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reiterated that they are using precision weaponry and intelligence to minimize civilian casualties. They accuse Hamas of using civilian infrastructure, such as schools and mosques, to shield their military operations.
The strikes occur nearly one year after the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on southern Israel, which left 1,200 people dead and saw 251 hostages taken. Since the start of the current conflict, Gaza’s health ministry has reported 41,870 Palestinian deaths and more than 97,000 injuries, though the figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
As international efforts to verify information have been hindered by Israel’s restrictions on independent journalists entering Gaza, reports from the region remain difficult to corroborate. Nonetheless, the United Nations has cited the Gaza health ministry’s figures, noting 187 deaths in Gaza between September 30 and October 4 alone.
