On social media, a video purportedly depicting the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attacking the main campus building of Palestine University in Gaza has gone viral. Regarding the widely circulated video, the US has asked Israel to provide more details.
In the video, an abandoned university building can be seen before explosions that are probably the result of bombs hidden inside occur and cause shockwaves to travel in all directions.
Spokesman for the US State Department David Miller declined to comment on the video due to a lack of knowledge.
Witnesses in Gaza’s main city, Khan Yunis, reported hearing gunfire and seeing airstrikes. This region was targeted by the Israeli military, which claimed it to be a stronghold for Hamas leaders and members.
Overnight, the Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed 77 deaths due to heavy artillery fire near Al-Amal hospital. The health ministry in Gaza is controlled by Hamas.
Birzeit University condemns the brutal assault and bombing of @Al-Israa University campus by the Israeli occupation south of #Gaza city, this occurred after seventy days of the occupation occupying the campus; turning it into their base, and military barracks for their forces pic.twitter.com/vot9s1z3tz
— Birzeit University (@BirzeitU) January 18, 2024
The Israeli military’s Givati Brigade engaged in close-quarters combat, using tank fire and air support, claiming the elimination of dozens of terrorists, news agency AFP reported.
The United Nations warns that the ongoing conflict, which began with Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, has displaced approximately 85 per cent of Gaza’s 2.4 million population. Many are now crammed into shelters, facing challenges in accessing essential resources like food, water, fuel, and medical care.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 24 cases of hepatitis A and a significant number of jaundice cases, emphasizing the urgent need for improved aid access.
Since Hamas’s attacks on October 7, casualties in Israel stand at around 1,140, mostly civilians. Militants also took hostages, with some still held in Gaza. Israel claims that at least 27 hostages have been killed.
In response, Israel has vowed to “annihilate” Hamas, launching relentless air and ground offensives. The Hamas-run health ministry reports at least 24,620 Palestinian casualties, comprising approximately 70 percent women, children, and adolescents.
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