Israeli Airstrike Victims In Gaza Increase To 21 People

JAKARTA - Israeli airstrikes killed 21 people in Gaza today. The Israeli military said it was targeting a command center used by the enemy of Islamist militant Hamas.

As reported by Reuters on Tuesday, October 1, Palestinian health officials said 13 people, including women and children, were killed in two Israeli attacks on two homes in Nuseirat, one of eight historic refugee camps.

There has been no immediate comment from the Israeli army on the two attacks.

Another attack on a school housing Palestinian refugee families in the Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City killed seven people.

The Israeli military said the airstrikes targeted Hamas militants operating from a command center located in the complex that previously served as Al-Shejaia Schools.

They accused Hamas of using its civilian population and facilities for military purposes, but Hamas denied it.

The armed wing of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other small militant factions said in a separate statement that their fighters attacked Israeli forces operating in several Gaza regions with anti-tank rockets, mortar fire, and explosives.

A new increase in violence in Gaza comes as Israel begins ground operations in Lebanon, saying its parachuting forces and command forces were involved in a fierce battle with Iran-backed Hezbollah. The conflict comes after Israel's devastating airstrikes against Hezbollah's leadership.