22 Killed in Strike Near ICRC Office in Gaza

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports that a recent shelling near its Gaza office resulted in the deaths of 22 people who had sought shelter there. The incident occurred on a Friday afternoon, causing considerable damage to the ICRC’s office and residences.

According to a statement by the ICRC, heavy-caliber projectiles landed within meters of their facilities. In response to the incident, the ICRC emphasized the obligation of all parties to take necessary precautions to protect civilians and humanitarian staff.

Meanwhile, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman stated that preliminary investigations showed no initial indications that the IDF was responsible for the strike but noted that the incident was under review. The ICRC highlighted that many displaced civilians, including Palestinian colleagues, were living in tents around the compound, complicating the situation further.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported different casualty figures, claiming 25 people were killed and 50 injured in the incident, which they attributed to Israeli shelling.

This recent event is part of an ongoing conflict that escalated following a sizable attack on southern Israel on October 7, in which about 1,200 people were killed, and 251 taken hostage. Since then, over 37,390 people have been killed in Gaza, with the Hamas-run health ministry identifying 14,680 children, women, and elderly among the dead.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned that escalating hostilities between Israel and the Lebanese Islamist group Hezbollah could lead to regional catastrophe. He urged both parties to de-escalate immediately to prevent Lebanon from becoming another conflict zone akin to Gaza.

In another development, leaked audio reveals Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich discussing plans to prevent the West Bank from becoming part of an independent Palestinian state by expanding Jewish settlements. Smotrich stated that changing the system’s “DNA” was essential to securing Israel’s long-term future.

The article’s content spans a series of intertwined developments in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, providing readers with critical updates without assigning blame or calling for specific actions.