In a recent airstrike on the Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) claimed to have targeted a key Hamas commander, Ibrahim Biari, the head of Hamas’s Central Jabaliya Battalion. According to IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Biari was implicated in the massacres in Israel on 7 October and played a significant role in Hamas’s combat operations. The strike, however, resulted in the destruction of apartment buildings and, according to Gaza’s Indonesian Hospital, led to the deaths of over 50 Palestinians and left 150 wounded, drawing attention to the human cost of the conflict.
The IDF released a picture of Ibrahim Biari, stating that the operation was based on intelligence and was part of their campaign against ‘Nukbha’ terrorist operatives responsible for the terror attack on October 7th. Hagari, in a press briefing, said the targeting of Biari’s location caused the collapse of adjacent buildings. He accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields and emphasized Israel’s commitment to continuing its operations in Gaza City.
As part of its ongoing campaign, Israel has been targeting Hamas militants within the network of tunnels beneath Gaza. Following the rescue of a hostage held by Hamas, Israeli forces appear to be pushing deeper into Palestinian territory.
In the backdrop of these military developments, the human toll continues to rise. The injured individuals from the airstrike have become a focal point of international concern, with 81 critically wounded Gazans being transferred to Egypt for medical care. The situation for children is particularly dire, with UNICEF reporting over 420 children facing death or injury each day in Gaza.