Israeli Military Strikes Kill at Least 60 in Gaza Strip
At least 60 people lost their lives in the Gaza Strip on Thursday due to Israeli military strikes, Palestinian medical sources reported. The attacks targeted homes and tents mainly in Khan Younis, a southern Gaza area, and included women and children among the casualties. The exact number of victims is still being confirmed.
The incident claimed the life of a local journalist working for the Hamas-run Aqsa radio station, along with 11 of his family members when their residence was hit. The Israeli military has yet to comment as it intensifies its campaign against Hamas, aiming to dismantle the group following their attacks on Israel earlier in 2023.
Ceasefire Efforts Amid Rising Violence
As the Israeli military operations escalate, U.S. and Arab mediators are actively pushing for a ceasefire deal. These efforts include indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, with envoys from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt facilitating discussions in Doha. Despite these negotiations, violence continues to surge.
Hamas accused Israel of trying to negotiate “under cover of fire,” asserting that the military pressure contradicts the ongoing diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, Israel insists that the conflict cannot end until Hamas is fully eliminated, preferring temporary truces over permanent ceasefire agreements.
Commemoration Amid Conflict
The latest strikes coincided with Palestinians observing the “Nakba,” or catastrophe, marking the mass displacement during the 1948 Middle East war that led to the formation of Israel. Many Gaza residents feel their current suffering exceeds that historical tragedy.
Ahmed Hamad, a displaced Palestinian in Gaza City, said, “What we are experiencing now is even worse than the Nakba of 1948. The truth is, we live in a constant state of violence and displacement. Wherever we go, we face attacks. Death surrounds us everywhere.”
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza
The intensifying violence has pushed Gaza’s 2.3 million residents into a dire humanitarian crisis, with most internally displaced. Aid groups warn that Gaza is on the brink of famine as no humanitarian assistance has entered the area since early March.
A U.S.-backed organization plans to begin aid distribution in Gaza by the end of May. However, they are urging Israel to allow the United Nations and other agencies to resume immediate deliveries to alleviate the worsening situation.
The escalating violence has resulted in the deaths of more than 52,900 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, and has left hundreds of thousands at risk of starvation.
Ongoing Conflict and Hostage Negotiations
Israel launched its current military campaign in response to Hamas’s deadly October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israeli communities, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken to Gaza. Hamas has offered to release all remaining hostages if the war ends, but Israel’s leadership demands full eradication of Hamas before any ceasefire.
Hamas criticized the Israeli prime minister for seeking an “open-ended war” and disregarding the hostages’ fate while mediators strive to return to meaningful negotiations.
As the violence continues, the urgent need for a sustainable ceasefire and humanitarian relief remains a critical challenge for all parties involved.
For more updates on Israeli military strikes, visit Filipinokami.com.
