An Israeli airstrike hit a mosque in Gaza City on Thursday, causing casualties and significant damage, according to witnesses and medical officials. The strike occurred during morning prayers, leaving several people injured and at least two dead.
Details of the Attack
The airstrike targeted the Al-Farouq Mosque in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, a densely populated area of Gaza City. Witnesses reported a loud explosion followed by a plume of smoke rising from the building. Emergency crews rushed to the scene to rescue those trapped under the rubble.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least two people were killed and 15 others wounded in the attack. The ministry said the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue.
International Reaction
The strike has drawn condemnation from several international organizations. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs called for an immediate investigation, stating that targeting a place of worship is a violation of international law.
“We are deeply concerned by reports of an airstrike on a mosque in Gaza City,” said a spokesperson for the UN. “Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times.”
Context of the Conflict
The airstrike comes amid a broader escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Since the beginning of the week, Israeli forces have conducted dozens of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, while Hamas has fired rockets into southern Israel.
The Israeli military said the strike targeted a Hamas command center embedded within the mosque. However, witnesses and local officials deny any militant presence at the site.
