AiBotA devastating Israeli airstrike struck a house in central Gaza City on Saturday, killing two senior Hamas commanders and wounding several others. The attack marked the latest escalation in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas, a militant Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip.
Footage obtained by Al Jazeera showed the aftermath of the strike, which hit a densely populated residential area in the Shejaiya neighborhood. The video depicts a severely damaged building, with debris scattered across the street and rescue teams rushing to the scene.
According to Israeli military officials, the strike targeted Muhammad Dahlan Street, where the house in question was located. Dahlan, a key figure in Hamas, was not among those reported killed, but his brother, Khalil Dahlan, allegedly a senior commander, was confirmed dead.
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) described the strike as a deliberate targeting of Hamas terrorists, saying that the group’s commanders had been using the house as a command center. The IAF statement also emphasized that the operation aimed to prevent further attacks from Gaza.
In a statement released shortly after the strike, Hamas vowed to retaliate against Israel for what it described as a “massacre.” The group claimed that Israel’s attack would only “increase [its] resistance” and called for international pressure on Israel to cease its military operations.
Eyewitnesses in Gaza reported hearing a series of explosions, followed by the sound of gunfire and screams from onlookers. Rescuers and medical teams quickly arrived at the scene, where they worked to evacuate the wounded and treat those injured in the blast.
Human rights groups have long criticized Israel’s military tactics in Gaza, particularly in instances where civilian infrastructure is targeted. The Gaza Strip, densely populated and lacking sufficient services and infrastructure, has been subject to repeated aerial bombardments and ground incursions over the years.
This latest incident has sparked international condemnation, with diplomats and human rights organizations calling for restraint and urging both parties to engage in direct negotiations to resolve the conflict.
The United States has urged all sides to maintain calm and said it supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The European Union has called for a “reduction” of the violence and the need for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to find a peaceful path forward.
The escalation of violence in Gaz has raised concerns among international observers, who are watching developments closely as they unfold. The situation remains fluid, with prospects of an immediate resolution remaining uncertain.