At least 10 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah today. According to Gaza’s Civil Defense, seven people died in this strike, traveling in a civilian vehicle, six of them from the same family. It said, several others were wounded and taken to Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah.
Earlier, an Israeli air strike has destroyed part of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, the last fully functional hospital in Gaza City. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it targeted the hospital because it contained a command and control center used by Hamas. According to Gaza’s civil emergency service, no casualties were reported, so far.
The attack comes after the Israeli military issued new displacement orders for residents of the central Nuseirat refugee camp as well as southern Khan Younis.
Earlier yesterday, the military wing of Hamas, Al-Qassam Brigades, released a video of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, who has been held in the Gaza Strip since 7th October 2023. In the video, the hostage appeared physically and mentally distressed.
Following the video’s release, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in a statement said that he had spoken with Alexander’s family and assured them that intensive efforts were ongoing to secure the release of all hostages.
Of the 251 hostages taken during the 7th October 2023 attack, 59 remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Israel believes that 24 of them are still alive.
The first six-week phase of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas expired on 1st March this year and negotiations on the second phase remain stalled. On March 14, Hamas said it had given mediators its agreement to release Alexander and the bodies of four other hostages.
Israeli forces have resumed airstrikes in Gaza since 18th March. As per the Gaza’s health authorities, the renewed Israeli attacks have so far killed 1,563 Palestinians and injured 4,004 others.
As per the Gaza’s Health Ministry at least 50,944 Palestinians are confirmed dead and 116,156 wounded in Israel’s airstrikes in Gaza after the 7th October attack of Hamas on Israel.
