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 attacks, which began early on Friday morning, marked one of the bloodiest days in Gaza in recent months. The Israeli military claimed that the strikes were targeting Hamas military positions and infrastructure, but witnesses and medical officials reported that many of the victims were civilians, including women and children.
The violence came as Christians in Gaza and around the world were observing Good Friday, a day of mourning and remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The day is a significant holiday in the Christian calendar, and many churches and communities hold special services and rituals to commemorate the event.
But in Gaza, the somber mood was shattered by the sound of explosions and sirens. Many Gazans took shelter in underground bunkers and basements, awaiting the all-clear as the Israeli jets roared overhead.
“It was like a nightmare,” said Fatima al-Najjar, a 35-year-old mother of three who was forced to flee her home in Gaza City. “I grabbed my children and we ran to the shelter. We were all crying and screaming. We didn’t know if we would make it out alive.”
The attacks began around 2:30 am local time, with a barrage of missiles striking targets across the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military claimed that the strikes were in response to a barrage of rockets fired from Gaza into southern Israel the previous day.
But human rights groups and medical officials have repeatedly raised concerns about the disproportionate use of force by the Israeli military, which has resulted in the deaths of countless Palestinian civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.
“The Israeli military’s use of force is not only illegal, but it is also morally reprehensible,” said Dr. Rania Abu Shahla, a pediatrician at Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital. “We have seen countless children and women injured and killed in these attacks. They are not just statistics – they are human beings who deserve to be protected and respected.”
As the day wore on, the death toll continued to rise, with medical officials reporting at least 58 Palestinians killed and over 300 injured. Many of the victims were rushed to hospitals in Gaza City, where medical personnel struggled to treat the wounded amidst the chaos and destruction.
The Israeli military has claimed that the strikes were targeted at Hamas military positions and infrastructure, but witnesses and medical officials have reported that many of the victims were civilians, including women and children.
“It’s like they are deliberately targeting civilians,” said Dr. Shahla. “We have seen entire families wiped out in a single strike. It’s like they are trying to punish the entire population of Gaza for the actions of a few.”
The attacks have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, both in Gaza and around the world. The United Nations has called for an immediate end to the violence, while human rights groups have demanded an investigation into the Israeli military’s actions.
But as the people of Gaza struggle to come to terms with the latest wave of violence, there is a sense of resignation and despair. Many Gazans have lost count of the number of friends and family members killed or injured in the conflict, and the constant barrage of attacks has taken a devastating toll on the population.
“We are living in a state of permanent fear,” said Fatima al-Najjar, the 35-year-old mother who fled her home in Gaza City. “We never know when the next strike will come. We are trapped in this prison, and we don’t see any way out.”
As the world marks the somber occasion of Good Friday, the people of Gaza are left to grapple with the devastating consequences of the latest wave of violence. The attacks have raised fundamental questions about the morality and legality of the Israeli military’s actions, and have sparked renewed calls for an end to the occupation and the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the region.
Sources:
https://newskarnataka.com/world/faith-flickers-in-gaza-as-bombs-fall-on-good-friday/20042025/
