At least five people were killed and 20 others injured early Sunday when an Israeli airstrike hit a mosque near Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza, according to medical reports. Eyewitnesses revealed that the mosque was being used as a shelter for displaced individuals, raising concerns that the number of casualties may increase.
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The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it targeted Hamas militants operating from a command center located within the “Shuhada Al-Aqsa” Mosque. They referred to the airstrike as “precise,” aimed at neutralizing the militant threat.
This incident comes as the conflict in Gaza nears its one-year mark, following Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The attack led to the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports.
Since the escalation, Gaza’s health ministry has reported nearly 42,000 Palestinian casualties. The violence has displaced almost all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, sparking a humanitarian crisis.
