Medical sources in Gaza have confirmed that at least 22 Palestinians were killed on Thursday morning in intensified Israeli airstrikes. These strikes come amid an increasingly critical humanitarian situation in the enclave, where healthcare facilities are teetering on the edge of collapse due to severe fuel shortages. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has raised alarms, warning that hospitals may soon be unable to provide life-saving care, leaving vulnerable patients, including newborns in intensive care units, at grave risk.
One of the airstrikes targeted a school in Jabalia, northern Gaza, killing three people, including a woman and a child, according to reports from the Palestinian Civil Defence. The continuous bombardments have caused extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure, forcing thousands to flee their homes and seek refuge in already overcrowded shelters.
Since the escalation began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,139 Israelis and the capture of over 200 hostages, the toll on Gaza has been devastating. Over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 109,000 have been injured, according to Palestinian authorities. The relentless airstrikes have left hospitals struggling to cope with the influx of casualties, compounded by dwindling resources and logistical challenges.
The Israeli government has defended its military campaign as necessary to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of hostages. However, the high civilian death toll and the destruction of essential infrastructure have drawn significant criticism both domestically and internationally. More than 800 families of Israeli soldiers and reservists have called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war, expressing fears that Gaza is becoming a graveyard for their children.
Diplomatic efforts led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to broker a ceasefire have so far failed to yield tangible results. Hamas continues to demand an end to Israeli aggression, while Israel has vowed to continue operations until Hamas is fully neutralized.
The global outcry against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is intensifying. Pope Francis has condemned the widespread devastation, urging all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize dialogue to prevent further loss of life. Meanwhile, aid organizations warn that the escalating conflict risks plunging the region into even deeper instability unless immediate measures are taken.