Israeli occupation forces had killed an estimated 28 people in airstrikes on Gaza as of Tuesday evening, following air raids initially launched late on Monday. Ten of the dead were children. An estimated 152 Palestinians have so far been injured.
The attacks, branded by Israel as “Operation Guardians of the Wall”, hit 130 sites in the beleaguered territory and were ostensibly targeted on the Hamas movement – although, as with previous attacks, civilians were the main casualties.
Huge plumes of black smoke hung over Gaza on Tuesday, as residents attempted to take shelter from the ongoing attacks. Residents have spent much of the past few days sleeplessly attempting to protect their families from the onslaught.
Among the dead was an 11-year-old boy In Beit Hanooun, a town in northern Gaza, who was killed on Monday while out collecting wood.
One man, Youssif al Massir, in northern Gaza, told news agencies that he lost two children and eight relatives in the attacks. He said: “Everyone was running in the street, children were bleeding, mothers were crying, blood was everywhere.”
Israeli warplanes also attacked vital supply tunnels from Gaza into Egypt – one of the few ways essential goods can enter the region.
Israel has said the attacks are only the beginning, and has amassed troops along the Gaza border.
The violence began with Israeli occupation forces attacks on Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramadan. By Monday, Israeli forces stormed the mosque and attacked those inside with stun grenades and rubber bullets for the third consecutive night.
Attempts to seize six Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, in the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah, and hand them to Jewish settlers have also sparked protests, which have been met with a violent response by the Israeli state.
More than 700 Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem have been injured over the past few days.
Aid agencies, governments and human rights groups across the world have called for Israeli restraint, although it is still supported in its attacks by its key backer, the United States.
Meanwhile, mass protests against the Israeli attacks took place across the world, in places including Beirut and London.
