At least 16 Palestinian civilians, predominantly women and children, were killed early Tuesday in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting various areas in the Gaza Strip.

Dozens more were injured in the attacks, which also struck two United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) shelter schools.

Local sources reported significant casualties in the bombing of Khan Yunis, Maghazi, and Al-Shati camps, as well as southern Gaza regions. The aggression, now in its 263rd day, has led to substantial loss of life and injuries.

Among the dead and wounded were civilians at two UNRWA shelter schools. The Civil Defense recovered five bodies, including children, from Asmaa school in Al-Shati Camp, west of Gaza City, which was set ablaze by the bombing. Another six bodies were retrieved from Abdel Fattah Hamoud School in the Jaffa area of central Gaza City.

In Al-Shuja’iya, east of Gaza City, two women were killed in an airstrike on the Al-Zamili family home. The Civil Defense also reported casualties in these incidents.

Israeli forces targeted the western area of Rafah in southern Gaza with airstrikes, artillery, and tank fire. Earlier, a young man was killed, and several others were injured in an Israeli bombing in Tal al-Sultan, west of Rafah.

The overall death toll from the Israeli aggression in Gaza since October 7 last year has reached 37,626, with 86,098 casualties, the majority being women and children.

This latest escalation has drawn international concern and condemnation, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. (ILKHA)