What happened in Gaza?
At least 31 people were killed after Israeli airstrikes targeted shelters and groups of Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza, according to local reports. The latest strikes hit the Remal neighbourhood, west of Gaza City, near a mobile phone charging point. Gaza’s civil defence spokesperson, Mahmoud Bassal, said more than 6,000 people were left homeless today as entire residential buildings were destroyed without prior evacuation warnings.
Bassal described conditions as “extremely difficult” under the ongoing siege and bombardment, noting that families had nowhere to turn for safety.
Protests in Sweden
In Stockholm, hundreds of demonstrators rallied against Israel’s war in Gaza, calling for an end to the violence and the displacement of Palestinians. The march began in Odenplan, with protestors carrying placards reading “No to genocide” and “Freedom for Palestine.”
The group later marched to Sweden’s Foreign Ministry, demanding action. Peace activist Malin Akertrom accused European leaders of failing to confront Israel’s actions, saying: “This accusation that Hamas is mainly responsible is completely absurd because Israel’s attacks on Palestine did not start on October 7.”
Casualties and detentions
The war, which began in October 2023, has pushed violence in the occupied Palestinian territory to unprecedented levels. Figures show:
- 1,039 killed, including 212 children
- 9,977 wounded
- 11,040 Palestinians incarcerated, with 3,577 held without charge
- 77 deaths in Israeli prisons confirmed, including 46 from Gaza
In the occupied West Bank, 20-year-old Mohammed Issa Alawi died of wounds sustained earlier this week after being attacked by Israeli settlers northeast of Ramallah.
The bigger picture
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen as strikes target residential areas, aid seekers, and shelters. International protests, such as those in Sweden, reflect growing global concern over forced displacement and mounting civilian casualties.
