Strike Kills 15 Waiting Outside Gaza Clinic

At least 15 people, including 10 children, were killed by an Israeli strike as they queued outside a medical point in central Gaza yesterday, amid intensifying Israeli attacks that left 82 people dead across the strip.

- William Christou, Beirut Malak A Tantesh, Gaza

The increase in Israeli bombing came as negotiators said a Gaza ceasefire deal was in sight, but not yet achieved.

The strike yesterday morning hit families waiting for nutritional supplements and medical treatment in front of a medical point in Deir al-Balah, medical sources said. Project Hope, which ran the facility, said operations at the clinic had been suspended until further notice.

"This morning, innocent families were mercilessly attacked as they stood in line waiting for the doors to open. This is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law," said Rabih Torbay, the NGO's chief executive.

The Israeli military said it had targeted a Hamas terrorist who had participated in the 7 October 2023 attack, but "regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals" and that the incident was under review.

"What was our fault?

What was the fault of the children?" asked 35-year-old Mohammed Abu Ouda, who had been waiting for supplies when the strike happened. "I saw a mother hugging her child on the ground, both motionless - they were killed instantly." Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least 67 other people across the Gaza Strip in 24 hours, according to the Palestinian health ministry, including 15 people in five separate strikes in Gaza City.