More than 70 people, including children and civilians seeking aid, have been killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip since dawn, according to local health officials. The attacks come as the Israeli military announced the launch of a new phase of its offensive, aimed at capturing one of Gaza’s major urban centers.
The deadly escalation marks one of the bloodiest days in recent weeks, with reports emerging of casualties among families queuing for essential supplies such as water and food.
Video footage circulating online shows scenes of chaos and devastation in densely populated neighborhoods, with rescue workers scrambling to recover bodies from the rubble.
The Israeli military has stated that the renewed offensive is part of its ongoing campaign to eliminate Hamas fighters and regain control of key areas in Gaza. However, humanitarian organizations have condemned the strikes, citing the rising civilian death toll and the dire humanitarian conditions on the ground.
Meanwhile, in a related political development, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unveiled a controversial proposal calling for the annexation of nearly all of the occupied West Bank. He urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to formally endorse the plan, a move likely to draw international criticism and further strain regional tensions.
The United Nations and several international human rights groups have expressed alarm over the growing violence, urging both sides to return to negotiations and avoid further civilian suffering.
As of this report, the total death toll in Gaza since the beginning of the Israeli military campaign earlier this year continues to climb, with health services stretched beyond capacity and critical infrastructure on the brink of collapse.
