DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — A relentless wave of Israeli airstrikes has claimed the lives of at least 38 individuals, including children, in just the past 24 hours, according to local health authorities. The dire situation has persisted as hospitals in northern Gaza remain inaccessible, compounding the difficulties in obtaining reliable casualty reports.
Among the latest victims is a Palestinian pediatrician who tragically lost nine of her ten children in an airstrike that occurred on Friday. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that nearly 3,800 people have died since Israel renewed its military operations in October, aiming to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of 58 hostages taken during the conflict. Hamas has countered, asserting that it will only release the hostages in exchange for a ceasefire agreement and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the region.
Israeli authorities had previously enforced a blockade on humanitarian aid entering Gaza for 75 days but lifted some restrictions last week following international pressure. The United Nations and humanitarian experts have raised alarms about impending famine conditions, emphasizing that the limited aid currently entering Gaza is insufficient. On Sunday, a report indicated that only 107 aid trucks were allowed passage, a stark contrast to the 600 trucks typically needed to meet daily requirements during the ceasefire.
In a separate diplomatic visit, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss a U.S.-backed initiative that seeks to manage the flow of aid into Gaza. This proposal has been met with skepticism by the United Nations, with World Food Program executive director Cindy McCain arguing that claims of Hamas hijacking aid supplies lack sound evidence.
The tragic consequences of the ongoing conflict were especially vivid in the aftermath of Friday’s airstrike, which left one pediatrician’s family shattered. Alaa al-Najjar’s home in Khan Younis was devastated, with her surviving child and husband left critically injured. Witnesses, including her brother, expressed their heartbreak over the loss of innocent lives, emphasizing that the children had no affiliations with militant groups.
Meanwhile, ongoing hostilities continue to escalate in Gaza, with reports of strikes resulting in further civilian casualties, including a mother and her two children in Deir al-Balah. Efforts for a ceasefire led by Qatar have so far proven futile, even as Israel’s military leadership declares that the conflict is not poised to drag on indefinitely.
The human toll from the conflict is staggering, with estimates indicating over 53,000 Palestinian deaths attributed to ongoing military operations. The Gaza Health Ministry has noted that a significant portion of those killed are women and children, but exact figures regarding combatant casualties remain unreported.
In a related context, Hezbollah’s leader recently reaffirmed the group’s position during a speech commemorating Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000. Naim Kassem insisted that Hezbollah will retain its arms until Israel ceases its air operations and withdraws from occupied border points. The tension persists, as Israeli forces continue to conduct airstrikes in southern Lebanon.
Adding to the complexity of the regional conflict, Israel reported having intercepted a missile launched by Houthi rebels from Yemen, which triggered air raid sirens across various parts of the country. No damage or injuries were reported in the incident, but the missile attack underscores the wider implications of the ongoing conflict.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens and regional tensions remain high, the international community continues to advocate for a resolution that encompasses both immediate aid and a sustainable peace framework.