Intense Conflict in Gaza: At Least 60 Casualties Reported by Palestinian Civil Defence Following Israeli Attacks on Thursday
Day of Tragedy in Gaza: Life on the Line
On a fateful day, June 26, 2025, the skies above Gaza echoed with the deafening roar of Israeli airstrikes. The Civil Defense of Gaza confirmed that a staggering 63 lives, including six seeking humanitarian aid, were claimed by Israeli fire[1].
Among the victims, thirty-five souls were lost in the wake of an Israeli strike on a group of civilians near the Al-Baraka junction, a bustling intersection in the heart of Deir al-Balah, the central Gaza Strip[1][2]. The spokesperson for the Civil Defense, Mahmoud Bassal, shared this heart-wrenching news with AFP.
Upon being queried by AFP, the Israeli army stated they were "investigating" reports of casualties near the Netzarim junction—an area where civilians had sought refuge[2]. Their soldiers had attempted to deter suspects by firing warning shots, they claimed.
Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, vigorously denounced the Israeli war in Gaza as "genocide." He urged the international community to furnish immediate, unwavering humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian territory, particularly under the helm of the United Nations[3].
The socialist leader underscored a "catastrophic situation of genocide" in Gaza. This dire prediction follows a recent EU report on the humanitarian crisis engulfing the Palestinian territory[3]. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate with essential services like water and fuel in critical shortage, as only 40% of drinking water facilities are operational as of June 26[2].
The international response to the violence has been deeply divided. The United States, represented by interim U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea to the United Nations, censured Hamas for employing human shields. Shea argued that this tactic fostered the lamentable insistence of Palestinian casualties due to Hamas's heinous acts such as the cold-blooded murder of Palestinian humanitarian workers and the abduction and murder of innocent Israeli children[3].
In stark contrast, certain members of the international community have condemned Israel’s actions and emphasize the high death toll of Palestinian civilians, including children. They call attention to discrepancies in official reports and demand accountability and protection for the civilians[1][2][3].
Other nations are urging political intervention in the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza, as general-news reports highlight the escalating humanitarian crisis. Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, has labeled the Israeli conflict in Gaza as genocide and urged the delivery of immediate, unwavering humanitarian aid.
