At least 35 Palestinians were reported killed since dawn Wednesday, according to local health officials and humanitarian sources, following intensified Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire across different parts of Gaza Strip.
Strikes targeting residential areas in central and southern Gaza were among the deadliest strikes recently, coming amid an increase in military operations by Israel Defense Forces (IDF). According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, many victims included women and children; several hundred more wounded were rushed to overstretched hospitals already grappling with inadequate medicine supplies, electricity services and health services.
“Over the last 12 hours, Israeli warplanes have conducted multiple attacks,” reported a spokesperson from the health ministry. “We have more casualties than we can treat; this situation is rapidly turning into a full-fledged humanitarian emergency.”
Eyewitnesses reported multiple explosions in Khan Younis, Rafah and parts of Gaza City where civilians have sought refuge after having fled northern districts during earlier hostilities. Rescue workers described urgent efforts to save those trapped under collapsed homes or trying to rescue those buried alive under debris piles.
Mahmoud al-Khatib of Gaza recounted the moment when an attack took place: it was early morning and children were playing outside when everything shook and smoke filled the air accompanied by screaming voices; we pulled bodies out using only our bare hands.”
Israeli military confirmed its most recent strike wave against Hamas command centers, weapons storage sites and militant operatives in Gaza. IDF stated it will continue operations “until all threats against Israeli citizens have been neutralized”.
International observers and human rights groups are alarmed at the rising civilian death toll. “The level of destruction and loss of life is staggering,” according to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). Hospitals are crumbling while families go hungry–this warzone represents not just war but humanitarian tragedy as well.
Egypt and Qatar, among others, have reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire; however negotiations remain at an impasse. Meanwhile, humanitarian aid convoys remain blocked at Gaza’s borders further complicating their plight as residents struggle.
As the death toll escalates and conditions deteriorate, pressure from all quarters grows for an end to violence and to provide life-saving aid to civilians in one of the world’s densest conflict zones.