Grief-stricken families assembled in Gaza City on Tuesday to bury relatives killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes that struck the city overnight, according to local medical sources. At least nine people died in the bombardment, which hit residential areas and left several others wounded.
The strikes, which occurred on 4 June, targeted multiple locations across Gaza City. Hospital officials confirmed the death toll and said that rescue teams were still searching through rubble for possible survivors. The identities of the victims have not been fully released, but witnesses reported that women and children were among the dead.
Escalation Amid Diplomatic Efforts
The violence comes as European diplomats continue to push for a ceasefire in the broader Middle East conflict, which has already disrupted air travel across the continent. The European Union has repeatedly called for restraint from both sides, but the cycle of strikes and retaliatory attacks shows no sign of abating.
In a separate incident, a Serbian UN peacekeeper was killed in southern Lebanon amid intensified clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, highlighting the regional spillover of the conflict. The peacekeeper's death has prompted calls from Belgrade for an investigation and renewed European attention on the security of UNIFIL personnel.
The overnight airstrikes in Gaza City are part of a broader Israeli military campaign that has drawn criticism from several European capitals. Berlin and Paris have urged Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law, while also condemning Hamas rocket attacks on Israeli civilians.
Local journalists on the ground described scenes of chaos as families searched for missing loved ones. One resident, speaking to a European news agency, said: "We heard explosions throughout the night. By morning, we found our neighbor's house destroyed. They pulled three bodies from the rubble, including a child."
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with hospitals struggling to cope with the influx of casualties. The European Commission has allocated additional emergency aid to the region, but aid agencies say access remains restricted due to the ongoing blockade and hostilities.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to have ripple effects across Europe. The drop in European air traffic linked to the Middle East crisis has affected airlines and travelers, with many carriers rerouting flights away from conflict zones. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has issued warnings for airspace over Israel, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories.
As the death toll in Gaza rises, European leaders face mounting pressure to take a more active role in mediating a ceasefire. The United Nations has warned that the region is on the brink of a full-scale war, with devastating consequences for civilians on all sides.
