Gaza’s civil defense agency has reported a devastating escalation in violence, with at least 25 people killed in a series of Israeli air strikes across the territory on Tuesday. This renewed offensive marks the end of a two-month ceasefire that had led to a temporary halt in the hostilities in the densely populated region.
The strikes commenced at dawn, as Israel resumed its aggressive military campaign in Gaza, which had been paused since March 18. According to Mohammad Mughayyir, a senior official at the civil defense agency, the casualties reflect the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the area. Specifically, nine of the deceased were killed when an air strike targeted a residential home in the southern city of Khan Yunis, where several individuals remain trapped beneath the rubble.
In a separate series of strikes in the northern Jabalia refugee camp, nine additional fatalities were reported, including five individuals who were inside a tent accommodating displaced persons. Additional strikes claimed the lives of five members of the Bakr family in the Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City and two more individuals in a similar assault in southern Rafah. The air strikes have caused widespread destruction, with over ten homes reported obliterated, while vital municipal equipment, including bulldozers, were also lost in the attacks.
The Israeli military has yet to respond to inquiries regarding these latest assaults. Since the collapse of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, the Israeli military has ramped up its offensive operations in Gaza, leading to severe impacts on the civilian population. In a troubling accusation, Gaza’s civil defense agency also condemned the Israeli military for what they termed “summary executions” following the death of 15 rescue workers last month, disputing findings from an internal military investigation.
Overall, the health ministry governing Hamas-run Gaza has confirmed that at least 1,864 people have died since the military action resumed, contributing to a staggering overall toll of at least 51,240 fatalities since the conflict erupted. The current violence follows Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which responsible for the deaths of 1,218 individuals in Israel, primarily civilians, according to a compilation of official Israeli statistics. The ongoing clashes signal a deepening crisis and a grim humanitarian reality for the people of Gaza.
