CAIRO – Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in the northern Gaza Strip on December 15 killed at least 20 Palestinians, according to medics and residents. Most casualties were reported in airstrikes targeting homes in Gaza City, Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, and the Jabalia refugee camp.
In Beit Hanoun, Israeli forces raided the Khalil Aweida school, which was sheltering displaced families, forcing residents to flee toward Gaza City. Medics confirmed several people were killed during the operation, though exact figures remain unclear. Many men were detained during the raid, and Israeli forces have maintained a prolonged presence in the northern towns of Gaza.
Palestinian officials accused Israel of attempting to depopulate northern Gaza through ethnic cleansing to create a buffer zone. Israeli authorities denied the accusations, stating that their military operations target Hamas militants to prevent regrouping and further attacks.
The ongoing conflict, which began on October 7 when Hamas launched an assault on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages, has escalated to catastrophic levels. Israeli retaliation has resulted in nearly 45,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The offensive has displaced nearly the entire population of the enclave and left its infrastructure devastated.
Efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to broker a ceasefire have intensified in recent weeks, though no breakthroughs have been reported.