At least 70 people, including 22 children, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza, with the majority of fatalities occurring in northern Gaza, specifically in the Jabaliya area. Local hospitals and health officials report that the strikes have caused widespread destruction, with rescue workers struggling to retrieve bodies from collapsed buildings. The Israeli military has warned residents in Jabaliya to evacuate the area, citing militant infrastructure and rocket launchers in the region.
The strikes come amid heightened tensions, a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would not halt its offensive in Gaza until Hamas is defeated. The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian concerns, with nearly half a million Palestinians facing possible starvation and 1 million others barely able to access enough food. International food security experts warn that Gaza may fall into famine if Israel doesn’t lift its blockade and cease military operations.
The situation on the ground is dire, with hospitals severely damaged and unable to function properly. For instance, a strike on the European Hospital in Khan Younis has forced the facility to suspend surgical operations due to damage to its water and sewage systems. The Israeli military has claimed to target Hamas command and control centers, but local health officials and hospital staff are working tirelessly to rescue those trapped under rubble and provide medical care to the injured.
