44 Palestinians from 2 families killed as Israel continues to pound Gaza

By Mohamed Majed

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – At least 44 Palestinians from two families were killed in Israeli attacks in the city of Jabalia, Gaza Strip on Thursday, a medical source said.

“Medics transferred the bodies of 44 Palestinians to morgues after the Israeli attacks,” the source told Anadolu, adding that the victims were from the families of Shihab and Abu Hemdan. Both children and elders were among those killed.

Israeli forces have launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the attack was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

In response, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz on Thursday said electricity, water and fuel will not be provided to Gaza until all its hostages were freed.

More than 2,700 people have been killed since the outbreak of the conflict over the weekend, including over 1,400 Palestinians and 1,300 Israelis.

Officials in the Palestinian enclave have warned of a humanitarian catastrophe and collapse of the health system amid heavy bombardment and blockade.​​​​​​​