A major Israeli air strike on the Shejaiya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City Wednesday has left at least 30 people dead, with dozens injured or missing under the rubble.
Shejaiya is one of the most densely populated neighborhoods of Gaza City. In one alley about eight homes have been reportedly hit and massively destroyed.
Resident Hussam Abu Sakran was trapped under rubbles after the attack. While he was later rescued, his mother did not survive the bombing.
"My mother was beside me. After the strike, I saw her torn apart. She was gone, just like that. How can I live without her? I don't know what to do. I don't know how I'll go on," he said.
The local rescue efforts were challenged by limited resources as they sifted through rubbles.
"Our crew are using the simplest tools, just hammers and bare hands to reach those trapped. We have no proper equipment. The number of the dead and injured is overwhelming, but we're doing everything we can to get them out and to the hospitals," said Ibrahim Abu Al-Rish, a Civil Defense staff member.
The Shejaiya neighborhood borders Israel, and the Israeli forces have enhanced presence in the area over the past several weeks.
Israeli strike kills over 30 in eastern Gaza neighborhood
Israeli strike kills over 30 in eastern Gaza neighborhood
