Gaza City – At least 24 Palestinians were killed, and 93 others injured following a devastating Israeli airstrike on a mosque in Gaza, early Sunday, October 6th, according to the Palestinian news agency, WAFA. The mosque was reportedly sheltering a large number of displaced individuals affected by the ongoing conflict in the region.
The attack took place at dawn in the Deir al-Balah area, where the targeted mosque, Sahda Al-Aqsa, had been providing refuge to many Palestinians who had been displaced during the year-long hostilities. The airstrike has left the local community reeling from the loss of life and widespread destruction.
According to the Israeli military, the mosque was being used by Hamas as a “command and control complex,” serving as a hub for their operations. In a statement, they justified the airstrike, claiming that Hamas had been utilizing the mosque for its military activities.
The strike has drawn international concern amid rising casualties in Gaza, as the ongoing conflict continues to severely impact civilian populations, with many forced to take shelter in religious and public spaces that are increasingly coming under fire.
This latest incident marks a significant escalation in the violence, with calls for restraint and peace growing louder from various international bodies. Humanitarian organizations have raised alarm over the growing number of displaced individuals and the deteriorating living conditions in Gaza due to the conflict.