Overview: Israeli strikes on Gaza escalate as casualties mount
More than 60 people have been killed as Israeli strikes on Gaza intensify, with authorities reporting 36 deaths in Gaza City alone as security operations aim to take control of the city. The latest toll highlights the deadly and ongoing nature of the fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian groups, drawing international concern over civilian harm and humanitarian access.
The toll in Gaza City and a deadly strike in Tufah
In one of the bloodiest incidents, eleven people were killed when a house in the Tufah district was destroyed during a series of airstrikes. Several of the victims were women and children, according to staff at al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City. The scene underscored how residential areas have become flashpoints in a campaign described by officials as aimed at dislodging militants and reasserting control over the city.
<h2 hospital concerns and on-the-ground risks
Mohammad Abu Salmiya, chief of Shifa hospital, told reporters that medical staff are increasingly worried about tank movements and ongoing bombardments in and around hospital areas. He described a relentless cycle of air and ground attacks that has limited access to emergency care and endangered patients and personnel alike. The remarks, relayed by news agencies, illustrate the strain on Gaza’s already stretched health system as facilities grapple with casualties and equipment shortages.
Humanitarian response and aid groups
The humanitarian landscape has grown more precarious as the conflict intensifies. On Friday, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced it would withdraw from Gaza City due to the expanded military offensive. The decision reflects growing safety concerns for aid workers and patients who rely on exposed medical facilities and corridors for life-saving care. The departure of MSF follows a broader pattern of international humanitarian agencies reassessing operations amid the fighting and shifting frontlines.
Context: a conflict that escalated after the Oct. 7 attacks
The current wave of violence traces back to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which drew Israel into a prolonged campaign in the Gaza Strip. Authorities in Gaza say that more than 65,000 Palestinians have died in the ongoing bombardment and fighting, underscoring the scale of civilian suffering and the challenge of delivering relief amid entrenched hostilities. International observers have cautioned that the situation remains volatile, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict as political and military objectives unfold.
What this means for civilians and prospects ahead
As strikes continue, residents face destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and workplaces, complicating everyday life and increasing displacement. The international community is urging humanitarian corridors and pauses in fighting to allow for aid delivery and safe evacuation, while authorities on all sides weigh strategic objectives against humanitarian costs. The path forward remains uncertain, with civilians caught in the middle of a widening and protracted confrontation.
