More than 400 people have been killed in Gaza following a fresh wave of Israeli air strikes, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The attacks mark the deadliest escalation since the ceasefire began on January 19, ending two months of relative calm.
The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, describing them as “extensive” operations following the failure of negotiations to extend the ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would intensify its military actions against Hamas, blaming the group for refusing to release hostages and rejecting ceasefire proposals.
Hamas, in response, accused Israel of targeting “defenseless civilians” and called on mediators to hold Israel responsible for “violating and overturning” the ceasefire. The militant group also warned of severe consequences for what it termed an “unjustified assault on the people of Gaza.”
Reports from Gaza indicate widespread devastation. The BBC Arabic program Gaza Lifeline captured the fear and chaos as residents scrambled for safety. A man described waking up for the pre-dawn Ramadan meal only to be caught in the bombardment. Another, Essam Abu Odeh, recounted being woken up by his daughter, urging the family to take shelter from falling debris.
Medical facilities in Gaza are overwhelmed. Mohammed Zaquot, director general of Gaza’s hospitals, reported that the number of casualties has stretched medical resources beyond capacity. Many injured, including burn victims and those with fractures, remain untreated due to a lack of personnel and equipment.
Israel claims that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with only 24 believed to be alive. A group representing hostage families criticized the Israeli government, accusing it of prioritizing military action over securing their loved ones’ release.
BBC Verify has authenticated videos showing significant destruction across Gaza, with blasts near hospitals and civilian areas. In one clip, a lifeless young girl is seen being carried toward a hospital, while another shows plumes of smoke rising from a bombed-out building in Rafah.
With no signs of de-escalation, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, raising concerns about further civilian casualties and worsening conditions for those trapped in the conflict.
