Israeli strikes kill 10 at Gaza shelter, Israel says targeted militants

Palestinians inspect the damage at a school sheltering displaced people, following an Israeli strike, in Gaza City, April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas Purchase Licensing Rights

| Published April 24, 2025

Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza resulted in significant casualties and damage, according to local health authorities. At least 10 people were killed when Yaffa School in Gaza City, which was sheltering displaced families, was hit, causing widespread fires in tents and classrooms.

In a separate incident, an Israeli missile struck the Durra Children’s Hospital, damaging the intensive care unit and destroying its solar power system, though no deaths occurred there. Additionally, at least 10 more people were reported killed in other strikes across Gaza that day. Since the collapse of a ceasefire on March 18, Israeli operations have killed over 1,600 Palestinians and displaced hundreds of thousands.

Gaza’s already fragile healthcare and rescue infrastructure continues to deteriorate under an Israeli blockade that began in March and targeted crucial heavy machinery used in rescue efforts. The blockade aims to pressure Hamas into releasing 59 Israeli hostages from the October 2023 attacks, during which 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 taken hostage. To date, over 51,000 Palestinians have reportedly died since the onset of the offensive. ​

The Israeli military stated that Hamas and allied groups were operating within the school and that precautions were taken to reduce harm to civilians before the strike. However, the attack has drawn international condemnation, with Germany, France, and Britain urging Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. The ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis continue to escalate, with calls for renewed diplomatic efforts to address the situation.

A Palestinian woman holds a child, as Palestinians inspect the damage at a school sheltering displaced people, following an Israeli strike, in Gaza City, April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas Purchase Licensing Rights

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Here are the pros and cons of the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that resulted in significant casualties and destruction:

✅ Pros

1. Military Strategy

• Israel asserts that its airstrikes are targeting Hamas militants and their infrastructure to protect its citizens from ongoing threats.

• The Israeli military claims to take precautions to minimize civilian casualties, including warning civilians before airstrikes.

2. Defensive Measures

• The strikes are framed as a response to Hamas’s actions, including the October 2023 attacks on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of hostages.

• The airstrikes are seen by Israel as necessary to disrupt Hamas’s military operations, aiming to reduce the threat posed by the group.

3. Pressure on Hamas

• The escalation of airstrikes and the blockade are designed to apply pressure on Hamas to release hostages and end militant activities in Gaza.

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❌ Cons

1. Civilian Casualties

• The attacks on civilian infrastructure, such as the Yaffa School and Durra Children’s Hospital, have resulted in at least 10 deaths and numerous injuries, many of them non-combatants, including children.

• The strikes have led to significant humanitarian suffering, with displaced families being hit, and critical services like hospitals being destroyed.

2. International Condemnation

• The strikes have drawn widespread global criticism, with countries such as Germany, France, and Britain calling for restraint and urging Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

• The use of airstrikes in densely populated areas, including schools and hospitals, may further fuel anti-Israeli sentiments and increase international isolation.

3. Escalation of Conflict

• The ongoing violence and civilian deaths have contributed to the escalation of the conflict, with over 51,000 Palestinian casualties reported, worsening the humanitarian crisis and making peace negotiations more difficult.

• The blockade and destruction of essential infrastructure, such as rescue machinery, have significantly hindered humanitarian response efforts, prolonging the suffering of innocent civilians.

4. Impact on Peace Efforts

• The attacks undermine efforts to bring about a ceasefire or any peaceful resolution, deepening divisions between Israelis and Palestinians.

• International calls for diplomatic negotiations and renewed peace efforts may be overshadowed by the continuing violence.

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🔚 Conclusion

The Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on April 23, 2025, have sparked a heated debate on the balance between military strategy and the protection of civilian lives. While Israel justifies its actions as necessary for self-defense and targeting Hamas militants, the heavy toll on civilians, including the destruction of a school sheltering displaced families and a hospital, has led to widespread condemnation. The escalating violence has intensified the humanitarian crisis, with over 51,000 Palestinian casualties reported since the conflict reignited in March.

International calls for restraint and the need for humanitarian aid are growing louder, highlighting the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to end the cycle of violence. As the situation unfolds, the consequences of these strikes may further complicate peace negotiations and heighten global tensions, underscoring the complexity of addressing both security concerns and humanitarian needs in such a volatile region.

 

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SOURCES: REUTERS – Israeli strikes kill 10 at Gaza shelter, Israel says targeted militants

THE STRAITS TIMES – Israeli strikes kill 10 at Gaza shelter, Israel says targeted militants

AL JAZEERA – Israeli strike on school sheltering displaced families in Jabalia kills 28

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