Good Friday Turns Tragic as Israeli Strikes Kill 58 in Gaza
As Christians around the world observed Good Friday with solemn rituals and remembrance, tragedy struck Gaza, where Israeli air raids took the lives of at least 58 Palestinians in a single day. The deadliest assaults occurred in Gaza City and the northern region, though bombings were reported across the entire Strip â from Khan Younis to Rafah â according to medical personnel.
The attacks, which began early in the morning, continued throughout the day, with Israeli warplanes and drones dropping bombs on residential areas, schools, and hospitals. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 58 people were killed, including 17 children, and over 300 others were injured.
The Israeli military claimed that the strikes were targeting Hamas military installations and infrastructure, but Palestinian officials and eyewitnesses disputed this, saying that the attacks were intentionally aimed at civilian targets. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also claimed that the strikes were in response to a rocket attack launched by Hamas earlier in the day, but no casualties or damage were reported in Israel.
The devastating attacks on Gaza have sparked widespread condemnation and outrage, with many calling for an immediate end to the violence. The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, urged both sides to respect international humanitarian law and to show restraint.
“Today’s escalation is a stark reminder of the devastating human cost of the conflict,” Wennesland said in a statement. “I urge all parties to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation and to respect the principles of international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
The European Union also condemned the attacks, calling for an immediate ceasefire and for both sides to engage in meaningful negotiations to resolve the conflict.
“The European Union is deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in Gaza and the Israeli occupied territories,” said a spokesperson for the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell. “We call on all parties to exercise restraint and to engage in meaningful negotiations to resolve the conflict peacefully.”
The United States, on the other hand, has remained largely silent on the matter, with the State Department issuing a statement that only acknowledged the violence and called for a de-escalation.
“We are deeply concerned by the violence in Gaza and the Israeli occupied territories,” said a spokesperson for the State Department. “We urge all parties to exercise restraint and to engage in meaningful negotiations to resolve the conflict peacefully.”
The attacks on Gaza come at a particularly sensitive time, as the region is in the midst of a holy week. For Christians, Good Friday marks the day when Jesus Christ was crucified, and many around the world observed the day with solemn rituals and remembrance.
But for Palestinians in Gaza, the day was marked by death and destruction, as the sound of bombs and gunfire filled the air. Many families were forced to flee their homes, seeking shelter in UN schools and other safe zones.
The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli blockade since 2007, and the situation has only worsened in recent years. The territory is home to over 2 million Palestinians, who continue to face extreme poverty, unemployment, and limited access to basic services such as healthcare and education.
The Israeli military has launched several major offensives against Gaza in recent years, including a 2014 war that killed over 2,000 Palestinians and a 2018 bombing campaign that killed over 60.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, it is clear that something must be done to address the root causes of the conflict. The international community must come together to demand an end to the Israeli blockade and to support the Palestinian people in their struggle for justice and dignity.
In the meantime, the people of Gaza will continue to suffer, and the world will be left to wonder how such senseless violence can continue to occur in the name of faith and freedom.
Source: https://newskarnataka.com/world/faith-flickers-in-gaza-as-bombs-fall-on-good-friday/20042025/
