Israel’s continuous airstrikes in Gaza have claimed a minimum of 60 lives, and the action has received broad international condemnation. Israel remains its aggressive military campaign against Hamas despite increased pressure.
The attacks hit family homes and a converted school shelter, amplifying the humanitarian situation in Gaza. This is after a month-long blockade subjected Gaza to its critical shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.
Intensifying Offensive and Limited Aid
Israel initiated this large-scale attack to free Hamas-held hostages and deconstruct the militant organization. The fighting has already killed over 300 people in recent days. Israel is set to capture Gaza land, uproot hundreds of thousands, and gain control of aid delivery.
Under international pressure, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu permitted limited amounts of aid into Gaza after the 2.5-month siege. Still, few trucks have arrived in the area—well short of the 600 trucks a day under a previous ceasefire.
Global Allies Threaten Sanctions
The world’s criticism of Israel is increasing. Canada, France, and the UK have warned Israel with “concrete actions,” i.e., sanctions if the offensive continues. They asked Israel to end what they termed as “egregious” attacks on Gaza civilians. PM Netanyahu dismissed these allegations as a “huge prize” for Hamas and advised that it might incite more violence.
Voices of Dissent Inside Israel
Criticism has also been coming from within Israel. Yair Golan, an ex-general and opposition lawmaker, accused Israel of being an “outcast among nations” because of its actions in Gaza. He denounced the killing of civilians, including children, and the target of population displacement.
PM Netanyahu immediately criticized Golan’s statements as “wild incitement” and “antisemitic blood libels.” Golan’s statements are not common in Israel, where public discussion primarily surrounds Netanyahu’s political intentions and not the humanitarian cost.
Heavy Civilian Deaths
Recent strikes targeted highly populated regions of Gaza. Two airstrikes in northern Gaza flattened a family house and a shelter serving as a school, killing 22 individuals, the majority women and children. Other attacks in Deir al-Balah, Nuseirat refugee camp, and Khan Younis took dozens of lives.
The Israeli army asserts that it only targets militants and lays the blame for civilian fatalities at the door of Hamas, accusing it of using tactics of launching operations from populated regions.
Human Cost of War
The conflict started with Hamas militants launching an attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 civilians and kidnapping 251 individuals. Israel’s counterattacks have brought destruction to Gaza, and over 53,000 Palestinians, primarily civilians, have died according to the Health Ministry. The numbers do not exclude combatants from non-combatants, highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis.
The world looks on as tensions rise. The growing need for a ceasefire and access for aid becomes clearer with each bomb that falls and each life that is lost.
