The Gazan civil defense service reported that rescuers struggled to excavate survivors from the debris of the demolished buildings due to insufficient equipment, revealing the serious challenges faced by responders. Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the service, confirmed that they had recovered 23 bodies from the wreckage, including those of eight children, while approximately 20 individuals were still unaccounted for. The airstrike reportedly obliterated eight homes in Shajaiye, an area already suffering from previous conflict, with many families previously displaced from other parts of Gaza taking refuge there.

The Israeli military defended its actions by asserting that Hamas operatives often hide among civilians. They claimed to have utilized aerial surveillance and precise weaponry to minimize civilian casualties. However, a recent New York Times investigation highlighted that the Israeli military appears to have relaxed its restrictions on the permissibility of civilian endangerment in airstrikes. International law experts have noted that regardless of operational tactics, Israel retains the responsibility to safeguard civilian lives.

Gazan civil defense teams expressed difficulty in conducting their search and recovery operations due to the absence of heavy machinery, severely hampering efforts to locate survivors amidst the rubble. The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to raise significant humanitarian concerns as violence escalates, emphasizing the urgent need for international attention and assistance.