Children queuing at Gaza health center killed in Israeli strike, medics say

A Thursday airstrike by Israeli forces killed 15 people gathered near a health center in Deir al-Balah, Gaza. According to Gaza health officials, the victims included eight children, three women, and four men.

The Aqsa Martyrs Hospital confirmed the children killed were between two and 14 years old. Videos reviewed by CNN showed lifeless, bloodied children being moved on carts. Other footage captured people screaming amid the chaos.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike targeted a Hamas militant involved in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. In a statement, the IDF acknowledged reports of civilian casualties. “The incident is under review,” the IDF said. “The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and operates to minimize harm as much as possible.”

Rabih Torbay, CEO of the American aid group Project HOPE, said the attack struck outside one of their clinics. “This location was shared with the Israeli military,” Torbay said. “It was a deconflicted site.”

Project HOPE offers vital services in the region. “People come here to treat malnutrition, infections, chronic illnesses, and more,” Torbay said in a statement. “Our clinics serve as a place of refuge, especially for women and children.”

Torbay expressed deep frustration and grief. “Horrified and heartbroken cannot properly communicate how we feel anymore,” he said.

The clinic also dispenses infant formula, according to Gaza’s health ministry. On Thursday morning, families had gathered outside its entrance before opening hours. They waited to receive basic care when the strike occurred.

Among the victims were Manal Abd Rabbo and her sister Fatima. Their relatives mourned over their bodies after the attack.

The strike comes amid escalating violence in Gaza. Israeli forces have intensified airstrikes and expanded ground operations in several regions. This military activity coincides with ongoing negotiations in Doha for a ceasefire and hostage release.

Over the past month, Gaza’s health ministry reported nearly 3,000 Palestinian deaths from Israeli military action. These numbers include a significant portion of women and children, though exact figures remain unclear.

Hamas fighters have also continued their operations against Israeli troops. In the same period, they killed more than 20 Israeli soldiers in various locations across Gaza. This includes five soldiers who died this week in Beit Hanoun, a northern city in the Strip.

Elsewhere on Thursday, a 20-year-old Israeli man died in a combined shooting and stabbing attack. The assault took place at the Gush Etzion junction, south of Jerusalem. Israeli authorities said two Palestinian assailants carried out the attack and were killed at the scene.

Gush Etzion is a settlement bloc located in the occupied West Bank. It has seen frequent clashes between settlers and Palestinians in recent months.

Humanitarian organizations have called for greater protection of civilians and aid workers. Project HOPE reiterated its appeal for safety measures. “Our teams are here to help,” said Torbay. “We cannot do that when health clinics become targets.”

The World Health Organization has also raised concerns. In June, WHO warned that medical facilities across Gaza face extreme risk. The agency noted that repeated strikes threaten healthcare access for nearly two million residents.

International pressure continues to mount. Human rights groups and UN officials demand that all sides respect humanitarian law. Civilians must not become collateral damage, they argue.

In a recent statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Hospitals, schools, and shelters must remain safe. These attacks must stop.”

Despite these calls, violence has persisted. Talks in Doha aim to pause hostilities and allow more aid into Gaza. But so far, negotiators have failed to secure a lasting agreement.

For now, Gaza remains in crisis. Aid groups struggle to operate. Families continue to suffer loss after loss.