Good Friday Turns Tragic as Israeli Strikes Kill 58 in Gaza
As Christians around the globe 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, from Khan Younis to Rafah, according to medical personnel.
The day of mourning and reflection, which marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, was marred by the sounds of explosions and the cries of the wounded in Gaza. The attacks, which began early in the morning, continued throughout the day, leaving a trail of destruction and devastation in their wake.
The Israeli military claimed that the strikes were targeting Hamas military positions and infrastructure, but Palestinian officials and eyewitnesses reported that the bombing campaign was indiscriminate and hit civilian areas, including residential neighborhoods, mosques, and refugee camps.
Among those killed in the attacks were several children, including a 12-year-old boy who was struck by shrapnel while playing outside his home in Gaza City. The boy’s family said that he was on his way to attend Easter celebrations when he was hit.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 58 people were killed and over 200 injured in the attacks, with many more feared trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings. The ministry also reported that medical personnel were struggling to cope with the influx of wounded, and that many were in critical condition.
The Israeli military stated that it had carried out more than 150 airstrikes in Gaza, using fighter jets, helicopters, and drones to target what it described as “military infrastructure” and “terrorist targets.” However, Palestinian officials and human rights groups have long accused the Israeli military of using excessive force and targeting civilians in its operations in Gaza.
The attacks came as Christians around the world were observing Good Friday, a day of mourning and reflection that marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In Gaza, many Palestinians had planned to attend Easter celebrations and Masses, but the attacks made it impossible for many to leave their homes.
“It’s a day of mourning, not a day of celebration,” said Father Rafiq Abu Zaid, a Palestinian priest who was forced to cancel Easter Masses at his church in Gaza City. “We are calling on the international community to intervene and stop these attacks. The people of Gaza are suffering, and it’s a holy day that should be a time of peace and reflection.”
The attacks also came as tensions between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers had been escalating in recent days. The Israeli military had been conducting massive military drills near the Gaza border, and had issued warnings about the potential for an escalation in violence.
But even as the Israeli military claimed that the attacks were a response to Hamas rocket fire, many Palestinians argued that the strikes were a deliberate attempt to disrupt the Easter celebrations and to punish the people of Gaza for their support of Hamas.
“This is a message to the people of Gaza that they will not be allowed to live in peace,” said Dr. Mona El-Khawaja, a Palestinian doctor who was treating the wounded at a Gaza hospital. “The Israeli military is trying to punish us for our political beliefs, and to make us suffer on a day that is meant to be a time of celebration and hope.”
As the sun set on Gaza, the people of the Strip were left to mourn the loss of life and to wonder what the future holds. The attacks had dealt a devastating blow to the already-struggling Gaza economy, and had left many families without homes or livelihoods.
But even as the people of Gaza struggled to come to terms with the tragedy, they remained resolute in their determination to resist Israeli occupation and to fight for their right to live in peace and dignity.
“This is not the end,” said Israa Abu Taweel, a Palestinian activist who lost her brother in the attacks. “We will continue to fight for our freedom, and for our right to live in peace. The Israeli military may have killed our loved ones, but it will never break our spirit.”
Source: https://newskarnataka.com/world/faith-flickers-in-gaza-as-bombs-fall-on-good-friday/20042025/
