Israeli Strikes Kill 17, Destroy Humanitarian Equipment

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 17 people, mostly women and children, with 11 fatalities occurring when a school sheltering displaced residents was hit and subsequently engulfed in flames. The strikes also destroyed approximately 40 pieces of construction equipment, including bulldozers provided by Egypt and Qatar for humanitarian use, which Israel alleges were exploited by Hamas for military operations such as breaching barriers and digging tunnels. Humanitarian groups and several European countries have called on Israel to lift its blockade to permit urgent aid deliveries. The airstrikes follow the collapse of a ceasefire in mid-March, as ceasefire talks have failed to produce results. Hamas and local officials condemned the destruction of equipment meant for civilian relief efforts, while Israel maintains the targeted vehicles were linked to terror activities. The majority of Gaza’s population has been displaced at least once since the conflict began, deepening the ongoing humanitarian crisis.