Jeusalem: An Israeli airstrike has resulted in the tragic loss of 76 members of an extended family in Gaza, as confirmed by rescue officials on Saturday. The strike, which took place on Friday in Gaza City, is considered one of the deadliest incidents in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, now in its 12th week. Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson for Gaza's Civil Defense Department, provided a partial list of those killed, revealing that 16 heads of households from the al-Mughrabi family were among the victims, including women and children.

Issam al-Mughrabi, a veteran employee of the UN Development Program, his wife, and their five children were also among the casualties. Achim Steiner, the head of the agency, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, emphasizing that the UN and civilians in Gaza should not be targets, and calling for an end to the war.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7 when Hamas militants stormed the border, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the capture of approximately 240 hostages. Israel has committed to continuing its military campaign until Hamas is dismantled and removed from power in Gaza, and all hostages are released.

The toll on Palestinians has been severe, with over 20,000 deaths and 53,000 injuries reported by health officials in Gaza. Israel attributes the high civilian death toll to Hamas's use of crowded residential areas for military purposes and its construction of tunnels under urban areas. The Israeli military has conducted thousands of airstrikes since October 7.

In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, the UN Security Council passed a resolution on Friday, calling for an immediate acceleration of aid deliveries to desperate civilians in Gaza. The United States successfully advocated for the removal of a more stringent call for an "urgent suspension of hostilities" between Israel and Hamas. Both the US and Russia abstained from the vote, highlighting differences in their positions.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his longstanding call for a humanitarian cease-fire, expressing hope that the resolution would contribute to this goal. However, he emphasized the need for more immediate action to end the ongoing "nightmare" for the people in Gaza. Guterres pointed out that the effectiveness of the humanitarian operation in Gaza is hindered by obstacles created by Israel's offensive, including security concerns, staff safety, logistical challenges, especially regarding trucks, and the resumption of commercial activity.

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