At least 19 Palestinians were killed by Israeli airstrikes across Gaza City, according to local health authorities. Attacks targeted multiple areas including Khan Younis, Jabaliya and Nuseirat; leading to numerous civilian casualties as well as damage of infrastructure.
Women and children were among those killed, underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to Gaza Health Ministry figures, over 51,000 have died since the conflict’s start – many civilians. For more information see Wikipedia +3 CBS News +AP News.
Airstrikes have also claimed multiple lives and damaged rescue machinery essential for rescue operations, such as bulldozers provided by Egypt and Qatar during a previously-announced ceasefire agreement. Israeli officials contend that such equipment was being utilized by Hamas for military purposes such as building tunnels and planting bombs.
AP News The intensified military campaign has worsened the humanitarian situation in Gaza. A blockade, in place since March, severely limits entry of essential supplies such as food, medicine and fuel – leading to suspension of critical health initiatives like UN-backed polio vaccination campaigns that were intended for over 600,000 children.
International aid organizations and human rights groups have denounced both the blockade of Gaza and ongoing airstrikes as forms of collective punishment, calling on immediate steps to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza to prevent further worsening of humanitarian situation.
As the conflict escalates, diplomatic efforts to negotiate a ceasefire are under way. A Hamas delegation is currently meeting Egyptian officials for talks mediated by Cairo in an attempt to reach an accord that addresses both security issues and humanitarian needs.
International audiences are closely watching, hoping that negotiations will lead to a lasting ceasefire and end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.