Sun Dec 22 08:28:05 UTC 2024: ## Israeli Strikes Kill 17 Palestinians in Gaza, Including Children at School
**Cairo, December 22, 2024** – Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least 17 Palestinians, including eight children killed at a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza City, according to Palestinian medics. The Israeli military claimed the school housed a Hamas command center and that the strike targeted militants planning attacks.
The strikes also hit a car in Gaza City, killing four, and resulted in at least five more deaths in Rafah and Khan Younis. Further north, in Beit Lahiya, the Israeli army ordered the evacuation of Kamal Adwan Hospital, a move hospital director Hussam Abu Safiya described as nearly impossible due to a lack of ambulances.
This incident follows nearly three months of Israeli military operations in northern Gaza, focusing on Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, and the nearby Jabalia camp. Palestinians accuse Israel of ethnic cleansing to create a buffer zone, a claim Israel denies, stating its actions aim to combat Hamas militants. Both sides claim significant casualties. While Israel says it has killed hundreds of militants and dismantled infrastructure, Hamas and Islamic Jihad report killing numerous Israeli soldiers in ambushes.
Mediation efforts by Qatar and Egypt have shown some progress in resolving differences between Israel and Hamas, but significant obstacles remain, preventing a ceasefire. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, after a Hamas attack on Israeli communities, resulting in significant losses on both sides. While Israel reports 1,200 deaths and the capture of over 250 hostages (around 100 still unaccounted for), Gaza authorities report over 45,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread displacement. Much of Gaza lies in ruins.
First Piper 