At least 75 people were killed and approximately 100 others injured across the Gaza Strip on June 7, the second day of Eid al-Adha, due to Israeli airstrikes. This information was reported on Sunday by Gaza's Civil Defense department.
Among the deceased, 16 were members of the same family, including six children. This family resided in the Sabra area of Gaza City, the main central city in the Strip.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defense department, told Al Jazeera that the Israeli air force gave no warning or siren before the air raids. He further stated that at least 85 people were trapped under the rubble from Saturday's attacks and have not yet been rescued.
"This was a cold-blooded massacre. All those killed on Saturday were civilians, and several of them were women and children," Basal said.
Hamed Kehil, a resident of Gaza City, told Al Jazeera, "Other years, at this time, we would wake up early, dress ourselves and our children in new clothes, and go to meet friends and relatives. But this year, we are carrying the bodies of our children and loved ones. Yesterday, we woke up in the early morning to the sounds of attacks, destruction, and screams."
Hassan Alkhor, another resident of Gaza City, told Al Jazeera, "May Netanyahu (the Israeli Prime Minister) be held accountable to God for everything the Israeli forces have done in Gaza over the past two years."
IDF Statement and Ongoing Conflict
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated in a Saturday night release that their operation aimed to eliminate a Hamas leader named Asad Abu Sharia. Asad Abu Sharia was the head of the Mujahideen Brigades, part of Hamas's military wing, Al-Qassem Brigades, and had participated in Hamas's surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Earlier, on Eid day, June 6, Israeli forces also shelled various areas of the Gaza Strip throughout the day, killing at least 42 people.
On October 7, 2023, fighters from Hamas, the armed political group controlling the Gaza Strip, launched a surprise attack into Israeli territory. They indiscriminately fired shots, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 as hostages.
In response to this Hamas attack and to free the hostages, Israeli forces began their operation in Gaza on the same day. Over the past 17 months, Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of 54,677 Palestinians and injuries to 125,530 others. 56% of these casualties are women and children.
In addition to conducting a devastating military operation, Israeli forces have also been preventing the entry of food and aid convoys into Gaza since March. As a result, Palestinians in Gaza are living a hellish existence due to the horrors of war and the lack of food, potable water, and medicine.
Hostages and International Response
Among the 251 hostages taken by Hamas fighters, at least 35 are still believed to be alive. The IDF has announced its intention to rescue them through military operations.
The United Nations and the international community have repeatedly called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt military operations in Gaza. A genocide case has also been filed against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), known as the UN's highest court.
However, Netanyahu has clearly stated that the goals of this operation are to completely weaken and incapacitate Hamas and to free the hostages, and that the operation will continue in Gaza until these objectives are met.
Recently, the United States presented a proposal for another two-month ceasefire in Gaza. While Netanyahu has agreed to this proposal, Hamas has not yet approved it.
(Source: Al Jazeera)
