Israeli strikes on Gaza City on Wednesday killed 22 people — including nine children – Palestinian officials said, in one of a string of deadly attacks that have further intensified the humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory. Video circulating online and shared with international media showed rescuers pulling bodies from the rubble in the Souq Firas area of the city.
Palestinian civil defence and health officials in Gaza reported that the strikes hit buildings in the Souq Firas neighbourhood, killing dozens of residents and leaving others trapped under debris. Gaza civil defence spokesman Mahmoud Bassal described the incident as a “horrific massacre,” according to on-scene reporting. Local emergency teams and volunteers were shown in footage attempting to recover the dead and injured.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military in the hours after the strikes were reported; Israeli authorities frequently say they target militant positions and have accused Hamas of operating amid civilian areas, but they did not immediately respond to requests for confirmation about Wednesday’s strikes.
The incident comes as bombardment on Gaza City has intensified in recent days, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee and further degrading medical services and civilian infrastructure. Multiple hospitals and clinics in Gaza City have reported damage or closure amid the operations, and the United Nations and aid agencies have repeatedly warned of mounting civilian suffering.
International officials have also raised alarm about the scale of civilian casualties and the difficulty of delivering urgent humanitarian aid. Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven called for a major increase in humanitarian assistance and reiterated calls for steps to reduce civilian harm.
Video and images appearing on social media and verified by news organisations showed scenes of devastation: collapsed concrete, scorched facades and family members searching for loved ones. Sky News and other outlets published footage from the Souq Firas area showing children’s bodies recovered from the rubble — images that have been widely shared and condemned. Palestinian medics and rescue workers described chaotic scenes as ambulances and civil defence crews rushed to the site.
Palestinian officials and civil society groups condemned the strike and appealed for immediate protection for civilians and unhindered aid deliveries. International leaders and humanitarian organisations have repeatedly called for restraint and for corridors that would allow medical evacuations and supplies into Gaza’s hardest-hit areas. The G7 foreign ministers issued a joint statement earlier this week warning of “immense suffering” in Gaza and urging a “flood” of humanitarian aid.
The strikes on Wednesday add to a mounting death toll in Gaza over recent weeks and months, further complicating diplomatic efforts and increasing pressure on international actors to secure aid and protect civilians. Independent verification of casualty claims in the middle of active hostilities is often delayed; the numbers cited here are those released by Gaza civil defence and local health officials. International monitors and media organisations will continue to seek confirmation and further detail as access permits.
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