Israel dramatically escalated its military offensive against Gaza City on Sunday, carrying out airstrikes that killed multiple Palestinians and left wide areas devastated, according to health officials and eyewitness accounts.
The latest outbreak of violence comes amid hostilities that have gripped Gaza for weeks, worsening its humanitarian situation to crisis levels. Palestinian health authorities reported at least 65 people had been killed within 24 hours as Israeli forces targeted residential neighborhoods, refugee camps and suspected militant infrastructure sites – targeting residents, women and children alike.
“Gaza is being bombarded from all directions,” reported a spokesperson from Gaza’s Health Ministry. Hospitals have become overburdened, rescue efforts hampered by continuous shelling, and death rates continue to climb rapidly by the hour.
Israeli Defense Forces, or IDF, confirmed its military operations were intensified, noting they struck over 150 Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets linked to militant groups operating in Gaza. IDF spokesperson said, “Our operations focus on dismantling terrorist networks and preventing further rocket fire into Israeli territory.”
Israeli authorities justify this military campaign as necessary in response to Gaza rocket fire, where several towns have reported casualties and significant property damage as a result of these rockets being launched into southern Israel from Gaza.
However, the scale and intensity of airstrikes has drawn international concern. Both the United Nations and various humanitarian organizations have issued statements calling for an immediate ceasefire and warning of an increasing humanitarian disaster. “Civilians, particularly children are bearing the brunt of this escalation” according to one UN official who encouraged restraint from both parties involved.
Eyewitnesses in Gaza reported scenes of chaos, with entire residential blocks flattened, families trapped under debris, and an overwhelming feeling of fear and despair among the population. “No safe place left,” stated Mahmoud al-Khaldi from Gaza City who lost several relatives due to strikes.
Violence over the last 24 hours marks one of the deadliest days since its latest flare-up, with experts cautioning that diplomatic efforts could collapse into further confrontation.
U.S., EU and Arab League calls for de-escalation have so far yielded little progress; both Israel and Hamas have signaled they intend to fight without concrete political or security concessions being offered by either party.
As darkness fell over Gaza, air raid sirens continued to sound as bomb explosions lit up the skies; an ominous sign that peace remains an unlikely goal for those trapped between warring parties.