On Wednesday, Israeli troops and tanks intensified their incursion into Gaza City, prompting a significant exodus from the ravaged area as relentless airstrikes disrupted phone and internet services. This disconnection has severely hampered the ability of Palestinians to call for medical assistance during the military’s latest offensive, which aims to take full control of the city. Local health officials reported that the Palestinian death toll has surged beyond 65,000 since the onset of the conflict.
The Israeli military reported that its air force and artillery units have conducted more than 150 strikes on Gaza City recently, prior to sending in ground troops. Notably, these bombardments have demolished high-rise structures in densely populated tent camps, as the Israeli government claims these buildings were utilized by Hamas to surveil their forces. The strikes have compounded an already dire humanitarian situation, with experts indicating that Gaza City is on the brink of famine.
In the early hours of Wednesday, airstrikes resulted in at least 16 fatalities, including women and children, prompting hospital officials to raise alarms about the escalating violence. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, the overall death count has reached 65,062, with an alarming 165,697 injuries reported since the conflict ignited following the October 7, 2023, attack orchestrated by Hamas, which killed approximately 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians, and resulted in the abduction of 251 others.
With the bombardment displacing approximately 90% of Gaza's population, a continuous flow of Palestinians has been observed fleeing the city, both by vehicle and on foot. In response to the growing crisis, Israel has opened a corridor for evacuation south of Gaza City for two days, partially alleviating the pressure on an area densely populated with civilians.
Over half of the casualties from recent strikes were reported in Gaza City, including a mother and her child who died in the Shati refugee camp. Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza reported three fatalities from an airstrike on a house in Nuseirat refugee camp, including a pregnant woman. Furthermore, two parents and their child were killed when their tent in the Muwasi area was struck. The Israeli military asserts that it is taking measures to minimize civilian casualties while conducting operations against what it labels “terrorist organizations” in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict has further endangered healthcare facilities, exemplified by multiple strikes on the Rantisi Hospital for children in Gaza City. This attack led to structural damage and forced half of the 80 patients to evacuate, leaving around 40, including four children in intensive care, and eight premature babies, still inside.
Amidst the escalating violence, Hamas senior official Ghazi Hamad publicly criticized U.S. mediation efforts, claiming they favor Israel. His remarks followed a deadly strike that killed Hamas members in Qatar during a meeting discussing a U.S. ceasefire proposal. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel's offensive, labeling it an “extension of the war of genocide” against Palestinians.
In a strong collective statement, a coalition of prominent aid organizations has implored the international community to take immediate action against Israel's offensive in Gaza. Citing the findings of a U.N. commission that concluded Israel's actions amount to genocide, they called for decisive political, economic, and legal intervention to address the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe.
Amid the turmoil, Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich remarked that Gaza could become a “real estate bonanza,” discussing plans with the Trump administration to capitalize on the reconstruction efforts post-war. This controversial assertion reflects the deepening complexities surrounding the conflict and its broader implications.
As the conflict rages on, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with growing international concerns about the viability of life in a region that has been devastated by continuous military operations and civilian displacement.
