Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Claim More Lives, Destroy Critical Infrastructure
Israel’s intensified military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of five more children following an overnight airstrike on a residential area in Gaza City. The attack also left at least eight members of a family trapped under rubble, adding to the growing toll of casualties in the besieged Palestinian territory.
This latest assault is part of a broader escalation in violence that began when Israel broke the Gaza ceasefire on Tuesday. Since then, nearly 600 Palestinians have been killed, according to reports. The Gaza Health Ministry has documented over 49,600 Palestinian deaths and 112,950 injuries since the conflict began.
The renewed offensive has severely restricted humanitarian aid and basic services, worsening the plight of Gaza’s nearly two million residents. On Friday, the Israeli military advanced further into Gaza, destroying the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, the only specialized cancer treatment center in the region.
The hospital’s destruction has sparked international outrage, with health professionals condemning the loss of a critical facility that served as a lifeline for countless patients. Dr. Zaki Al-Zaqzouq, head of the hospital’s oncology department, expressed his disbelief, stating, “I cannot fathom what could be gained from bombing a hospital that served as a lifeline for so many patients.”
The targeting of vital infrastructure has compounded the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Food insecurity is rampant, with limited supplies and skyrocketing prices forcing many Palestinians to rely on community kitchens and hot meal distribution points. However, countless others, particularly children, struggle to secure even one meal a day.
Hospitals are overwhelmed and ill-equipped to handle the surge in casualties, many of whom have been injured in the relentless Israeli airstrikes. A local doctor, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, described the dire situation: “The conditions in Gaza are deteriorating by the minute. We have very little to work with, and the number of people needing treatment grows every day.”
The impact on Gaza’s civilian population is catastrophic, with widespread destruction of homes, infrastructure, and essential services. Israeli military operations have severely damaged roads, water systems, and sanitation facilities in the northern West Bank and Gaza Strip, creating significant public health risks.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has stated that military operations will continue to escalate until Hamas releases the remaining 59 hostages. Meanwhile, sirens sounded in Israeli cities on Friday after rockets were fired from Gaza, further heightening tensions in the region.
The ongoing violence has drawn global condemnation, with calls for an immediate ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid to address the deepening crisis in Gaza.
