Israeli airstrikes conducted overnight in the southern Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of at least 15 individuals, including six children and two women, according to Palestinian medical officials who reported the incidents on Tuesday.
In the northern region of Gaza, specifically in Jabaliya, residents described families as trapped within their homes and makeshift shelters, as Israel has intensified its air and ground operations there for over a week.
This ongoing conflict can be traced back more than a year, when militants affiliated with Hamas breached Israel’s security barrier, resulting in the deaths of roughly 1,200 individuals—predominantly civilians—and the abduction of around 250 people. Reports indicate that around 100 of these captives are still in Gaza, with a significant portion presumed deceased.
According to local health authorities, Israeli operations in Gaza have led to the deaths of over 42,000 Palestinians. While the statistics regarding combatants versus civilians remain unclear, it has been noted that women and children constitute a considerable percentage of those killed. The violence has devastated vast regions of Gaza, displacing approximately 90% of its 2.3 million residents.
In a show of support for Hamas, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has engaged in cross-border confrontations with Israel over the past year. Recently, Israeli military actions against Hezbollah have intensified.
Speculation had been rampant regarding the whereabouts of Gen. Esmail Qaani, leader of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guards’ expeditionary unit, following an Israeli airstrike that eliminated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut last month. Nonetheless, Qaani was seen publicly in a black bomber jacket, emotional, during an event at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport early Tuesday morning.
In the latest developments:
In the Gaza region, Israeli airstrikes have resulted in numerous fatalities overnight, including a significant loss of life in the town of Beni Suhaila, where at least 10 members of one family perished due to a strike on their home. Among the deceased were three children and one woman, as confirmed by Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis. Casualties were also reported in Fakhari, where airstrikes led to the deaths of five individuals, including three children and a woman, as stated by the European Hospital.
The Israeli military typically refrains from commenting on specific strikes, asserting its efforts to minimize civilian casualties, while attributing responsibility for such tragedies to Hamas, accusing the group of hiding among civilian populations.
In northern Gaza, residents reported ongoing challenges as Israeli forces have continued their offensive in Jabaliya. Adel al-Deqes recounted an incident where his relatives attempted to evacuate but were shelled. “We have lost track of who is alive and who has perished,” he lamented. Ahmed Awda shared his ordeal, mentioning the relentless sounds of bombing and gunfire overnight, while also noting the destruction of numerous structures in his neighborhood.
Meanwhile, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force, Gen. Esmail Qaani, has made a public appearance, dispelling weeks of uncertainty regarding his status following the airstrike that claimed Nasrallah’s life. The Iranian state media showcased Qaani at a ceremony honoring the return of the deceased Revolutionary Guard Gen. Abbas Nilforushan, who had been killed in the attack.
Furthermore, Australia’s government has issued targeted sanctions and travel restrictions for five Iranian individuals involved in the nation’s missile defense initiatives. Foreign Minister Penny Wong indicated that this move was a response to Iran’s launch of over 180 ballistic missiles toward Israel on October 1, which she described as a significant escalation with potential regional implications. As a result of these new sanctions, Australia’s total count of entities and individuals targeted in connection to Iran now stands at 200.
Wong affirmed Australia’s commitment to holding Iran accountable for its actions deemed reckless and destabilizing.
