Palestinian rescue teams reported a tragic toll of 94 fatalities in the Gaza Strip due to intense Israeli airstrikes on Thursday. This marked a significant escalation in violence in a region that has been under a strict blockade. Mahmud Basal, a spokesman for the civil defense agency, stated that there were earlier reports of 50 deaths, indicating the worsening situation.
Amir Selha, a 43-year-old resident from northern Gaza, described the chaos, saying, “Tank shells are striking around the clock, and the area is packed with people and tents.” The humanitarian crisis deepens as many Gazans have endured displacement multiple times throughout the 19 months of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Israel’s military operations in Gaza resumed on March 18 after a brief six-week ceasefire fell apart during negotiations aimed at the release of hostages. The Israeli government claimed that its blockade was intended to pressure Hamas into freeing hostages taken during the group’s unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023.
Humanitarian organizations have been inching toward delivering aid, with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed organization, announcing plans to distribute aid later this month. They have negotiated with Israeli officials to secure distribution points in northern Gaza, which Israel has agreed to facilitate.
In the latest reports, Gaza’s health ministry revealed that a staggering 2,876 people have died since the resumption of hostilities, with the total death toll since the October 7 attacks reaching 53,010. The fallout from these actions has also impacted Israel, where 1,218 deaths, mostly civilian, were reported following the initial Hamas attack, alongside 57 hostages that remain unaccounted for in Gaza.
As the violence escalates in Gaza, U.N. estimates suggest that 70 percent of the region is now a no-go zone due to Israeli military operations. Basal criticized Israel’s approach, stating that the shrinking of safe areas is aimed at pressuring and terrifying civilians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated a forthcoming increase in military operations in Gaza, reaffirming a commitment to substantial action in the area. Despite ongoing airstrikes, negotiations continue regarding a potential ceasefire and a resolution surrounding the hostage situation.
In the occupied West Bank, tensions mounted following the murder of a pregnant Israeli woman. Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir announced that a manhunt had begun for the assailants. Reports of road closures and heightened military presence indicate a deteriorating security atmosphere, leading to calls for revenge among Israeli settlers.
In a separate incident in the northern West Bank town of Tammun, Palestinian sources reported that an Israeli army raid resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians, prompting further outrage and violence in the already tense region. The army remained tightly controlled in the area, causing frustration and anxiety among residents, with ongoing demolitions of property adding to the distress faced by the local population.
