Israel Expands Gaza Offensive, Strikes Lead to High Civilian Casualties
Israeli airstrikes across Gaza have intensified, with the Israeli Defense Minister announcing the expansion of military operations aimed at seizing large areas of Palestinian territory. Israel Katz stated that the objective is to create “security zones” by clearing regions of what he termed “terrorists and terrorist infrastructure,” involving large-scale evacuations of Palestinian civilians.
The strikes, which have already resulted in numerous deaths, intensified overnight. In southern Gaza’s Khan Younis area, a deadly airstrike on a residential home claimed the lives of at least 12 people, including women and children. Rida al-Jabbour, a neighbor, described the devastation, with her own neighbor and a three-month-old baby among the victims. The situation remains dire, with no signs of respite.
In northern Gaza, a strike on a UN clinic sheltering displaced families in Jabalia led to the deaths of at least 19 Palestinians, including nine children. The clinic, run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), was targeted by Israeli forces, who claimed that Hamas operatives were hiding inside a command-and-control center used for coordinating terrorist activities. Despite precautions taken, including aerial surveillance, the strike resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life.
Israeli forces have also reportedly advanced into Rafah, a city near Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, as part of their larger ground offensive. Over 140,000 people in Rafah have been ordered to evacuate their homes, and new evacuation orders have been issued for parts of northern Gaza. These moves are part of Israel’s broader strategy to control a buffer zone along the Gaza border.
The violence escalated after Hamas rejected a US-backed ceasefire proposal and failed to free 59 hostages held in Gaza. The Israeli government has emphasized the importance of removing Hamas from Gaza and securing the release of all Israeli hostages. However, the escalating violence has sparked outrage among hostages’ families, with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urging Israel to prioritize the hostages’ release.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with Israel halting the entry of aid into Gaza since March 2. This has led to an even more dire situation for civilians trapped in the region. In response to increasing civilian casualties, the UN has reduced its operations in Gaza, following the deaths of several aid workers in late March.
Since the start of Israel’s military campaign on March 18, over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The conflict began after a deadly cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in which over 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 were taken hostage. The war continues to fuel widespread destruction, with no end in sight.
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Israel Expands Gaza Offensive, Strikes Lead to High Civilian Casualties