Israeli Airstrikes in Northern Gaza Result in Dozens of Civilian Deaths Amid Intensifying Conflict
At least 50 Palestinians, including 22 children and 15 women, have been killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting residential areas in Jabalia, northern Gaza, according to the Indonesian Hospital. The overnight attacks destroyed multiple homes in Jabalia town and the adjacent refugee camp, with distressing footage showing bodies lined up on hospital floors. BBC The Israeli military stated it is investigating the reports and had previously issued evacuation warnings to residents of Jabalia and neighboring areas following rocket launches into Israel by Palestinian armed groups.BBC The strikes coincide with escalating international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. UN humanitarian affairs chief Tom Fletcher urged the UN Security Council to act to “prevent genocide,” accusing Israel of imposing inhumane conditions on civilians and criticizing the Israeli-US plan to privatize humanitarian aid distribution. Israel’s UN envoy, Danny Danon, dismissed these allegations as “baseless and outrageous,” asserting that the current aid system is compromised by Hamas’s activities.BBC Local health officials report a total of 70 fatalities from Israeli strikes across Gaza on Wednesday, predominantly in the Jabalia area. Residents described hearing multiple explosions overnight, with videos capturing the ensuing fires. One resident, Hadi Moqbel, recounted the loss of several family members, including a two-month-old baby, in the attacks.BBC The Israeli military had issued a “final warning” to residents of Jabalia and surrounding areas to evacuate, stating that any area from which rockets are launched would be targeted with significant force. Earlier, three rockets were launched from Gaza into Israeli territory, with two intercepted and one landing in an open area. Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the rocket fire, citing it as retaliation for Israeli actions.BBC Israel’s offensive resumed on March 18 after a two-month ceasefire collapsed, and the blockade on Gaza has been in place since March 2. The UN reports that 20% of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents have been displaced again, with 70% of the territory now under evacuation orders or designated as “no-go” zones. Severe shortages of food and fuel have led to the closure of all UN-supported bakeries and over 60% of community kitchens. A UN-backed assessment warns that the entire population faces acute food insecurity, with half a million people at risk of starvation.BBC In a related development, Hamas released Edan Alexander, the last known living Israeli-American hostage in Gaza, as a goodwill gesture towards US President Donald Trump, who is visiting the Middle East. President Trump expressed hope for the release of the remaining 58 hostages and emphasized that their freedom is essential for peace. His special envoys are currently engaged in talks in Qatar to facilitate further releases.BBC Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to expand the military offensive in Gaza, stating that Israeli forces will enter the territory “with full force” to dismantle Hamas. He emphasized that while a temporary ceasefire might occur, the war will continue until its objectives are achieved.BBC The conflict, which escalated following a Hamas-led cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 52,928 deaths in Gaza, including 2,799 since the resumption of Israeli operations, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.BBC
