Israeli airstrikes struck southern Gaza’s Khan Younis overnight into Thursday, killing at least 54 people, according to local authorities. At the same time, another strike in northern Gaza’s Jabaliya killed 13 more. This marks the second straight night of intense bombing.
An Associated Press cameraman in Khan Younis recorded ten separate airstrikes. Many bodies, severely injured, were taken to Nasser Hospital, where identification was delayed. The hospital’s morgue confirmed 54 fatalities.
Among the victims was journalist Hasan Samour, who worked for Qatar’s Al Araby TV. The network reported that he died along with 11 family members during one of the strikes.
Civilian Casualties Mount
The previous night’s bombings in northern and southern Gaza killed at least 70 people, including around 20 children. Civil Defense teams in Gaza said that the strike in Jabaliya hit a compound that included a mosque and a small medical clinic.
Devastation at Nasser Hospital
Inside Nasser Hospital, grieving mother Safaa Al-Najjar cried over the bodies of her sons—one and a half-year-old Motaz and one and a half-month-old Moaz—killed in the airstrikes. Her five other children were injured, and her husband was in intensive care.
“I gave them dinner and put them to sleep as usual, it was a normal day. Suddenly I don’t know what happened, the world went upside down,” she said. “I don’t know, I don’t know … what is their fault? What is their fault?” Outside the hospital, mourners gathered to pray before the dead were taken for burial.
Netanyahu Vows Escalation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently promised a stronger military campaign in Gaza.
In a statement released Tuesday, he said Israeli forces were preparing to enter Gaza “with great strength to complete the mission … It means destroying Hamas.”
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch warned that Israel’s stated goal of seizing Gaza and displacing hundreds of thousands “inches closer to extermination.” The group urged global leaders to speak out.
The War’s Toll
The conflict started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people in southern Israel. In response, Israel launched a large-scale offensive. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 53,000 Palestinians have been killed since, many of them women and children. Nearly 3,000 deaths occurred after Israel ended a ceasefire on March 18.
In the last 24 hours alone, hospitals received 82 bodies, including the 54 from Khan Younis. The total Palestinian death toll now stands at 53,010, with nearly 120,000 wounded.
Hamas still holds 58 of the approximately 250 hostages taken during the October 7 attack. Israeli officials believe 23 are alive, but they’re concerned about three of them.
Gaza’s Last Cancer Hospital Shuts Down
The European Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza’s only cancer treatment facility, is now out of service. Israeli airstrikes severely damaged the hospital and nearby roads, halting all specialized treatments, including cancer and heart care.
Israel claimed it targeted a Hamas command center beneath the hospital. Six people died in the strike. Hospital director Imad al-Hout said 200 patients were present during the attack. All were evacuated, with the last 90 moved to Nasser Hospital. Repair efforts have begun.
Food Crisis Deepens as Blockade Continues
Gaza’s aid blockade has now entered its third month. On Thursday, people in northern Gaza gathered near areas under Israeli fire, desperate for food. In Beit Lahia, a charity kitchen set up among rubble served vegetable soup. Crowds pushed forward, waving empty pots and containers.
Um Abed, a mother of a 3-year-old, said she waited since 9 a.m. and still received no food. “I have a 3-year-old child who’s crying all day because he wants to eat … we want them to stop the war and to allow food in,” she cried, holding her empty pot.
The blockade has devastated Gaza’s urban areas and displaced 90% of the population. Since March 2, no aid—neither food nor medicine—has been allowed into the territory. Global hunger experts have warned of famine unless Israel lifts the blockade and halts the military campaign.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, nearly 500,000 Palestinians face starvation. Another one million have extremely limited access to food.
Israel Denies Food Shortage
Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer denied the existence of a food shortage in Gaza. He blamed Hamas, saying, “Hamas is holding onto it … they need to open up the food to the people.”
Human Rights Watch Urges Action
Human Rights Watch stated that Israel’s plan to control Gaza, combined with the “systematic destruction” of civilian infrastructure and the import blockade, should trigger international response under the Genocide Convention. They also called on Hamas to release the remaining hostages. Israel strongly denies accusations of genocide.