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 devastating attacks on Good Friday, considered a holy day in the Christian calendar, have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The strikes, which began in the early hours of the day, targeted various locations in Gaza, including residential areas, markets, and refugee camps.
Eyewitnesses described the scenes of destruction and chaos as families were forced to flee their homes, leaving behind shattered lives and irreparable damage. The sounds of sirens and explosions filled the air, as the people of Gaza struggled to make sense of the sudden and brutal violence.
“It was like a nightmare come true,” said Rafat al-Sharif, a resident of Gaza City. “I was in my home when I heard the first explosion. I ran outside to see what was happening, and that’s when I saw the destruction. Families were running, screaming, trying to escape. It was chaos.”
The Israeli military claimed that the airstrikes were aimed at targeting Hamas military sites and weapons storage facilities, but the scale of the destruction and the large number of civilian casualties have raised serious concerns about the humanitarian impact of the attacks.
Medical personnel in Gaza reported receiving a massive influx of injured and dead, with many more expected to be treated in the coming days. The number of wounded is estimated to be in the hundreds, with many suffering from severe injuries.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health has issued a statement condemning the Israeli strikes, calling them “a war crime” and demanding an immediate end to the violence.
“The Israeli aggression on Gaza is a war crime,” said Dr. Fathi Abu al-Ardat, the Minister of Health. “We demand that the international community take immediate action to stop this aggression and hold Israel accountable for its crimes.”
The international community has also voiced its outrage and concern over the situation in Gaza. The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire, while the European Union has condemned the Israeli strikes and called for an investigation into the attacks.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is already dire, with the Strip facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies. The Israeli blockade of Gaza, imposed in 2007, has exacerbated the crisis, making it difficult for aid to reach those in need.
The situation has also sparked widespread protests around the world, with demonstrations taking place in cities from London to New York to Sydney. People are calling for an end to the violence and for the international community to take action to protect the people of Gaza.
As the world continues to mourn the loss of life and condemn the Israeli strikes, the people of Gaza are left to pick up the pieces and try to rebuild their shattered lives. The violence has once again highlighted the need for a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the importance of protecting the rights of all people, regardless of their religion or nationality.
Source: https://newskarnataka.com/world/faith-flickers-in-gaza-as-bombs-fall-on-good-friday/20042025/
