Bloodiest day in weeks: Israeli strikes kill 106 in Gaza, hit Lebanon and threaten Iran
The war between Israel and Hamas entered its 580th day on Thursday with one of the deadliest 24-hour periods in Gaza in recent weeks. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, at least 106 Palestinians were killed and 367 others injured following heavy Israeli airstrikes across the besieged enclave.
The escalating bombardment, reportedly targeting Hamas positions, came amid a broader regional flare-up. Israel’s Defence Minister threatened direct strikes inside Iran if the Houthi rebels in Yemen, backed by Tehran, continue their cross-border missile and drone attacks aimed at Israel.
The Israeli military did not comment directly on the latest casualty figures but confirmed ongoing “precision operations” in Gaza, stating they were aimed at neutralising militant infrastructure. The Hamas health ministry, however, said entire residential blocks had been flattened, with hospitals overwhelmed by the wounded.
A senior Israeli source also revealed that there is “serious concern” for the lives of three Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, including Tamir Nimrodi, whose identity was publicly confirmed by his mother. The fate of many captives taken during Hamas’s October 2023 assault remains unclear, with negotiations for their release reportedly stalled.
In neighbouring Lebanon, Israeli jets struck multiple targets in the country’s south, with the Lebanese health ministry confirming one person killed and eight others wounded. The air raids follow a rise in cross-border fire from Hezbollah, sparking fears of a widening front.
Israel has been engaged in near-daily exchanges of fire with Hezbollah since the war began, but the scope and intensity of the latest strikes suggest a significant escalation. Local sources reported damage to civilian infrastructure in the towns of Tebnine and Aita al-Shaab.
Back in Gaza, residents described scenes of horror as bombs rained down overnight. “It was like the sky was falling,” said one survivor in Deir al-Balah, where multiple homes were reportedly hit. UN officials repeated calls for an immediate ceasefire and urged all parties to protect civilians.
The death toll in Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities, has now exceeded 38,000 since October 2023, though exact numbers remain unverified due to restricted access.
In Tel Aviv, the Israeli government faced mounting pressure from hostage families, who accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet of dragging out negotiations for political reasons. Protests are planned outside the Knesset this weekend to demand urgent action.
Meanwhile, regional powers are on edge. Iran has not responded officially to Israel’s threat but has continued to signal its support for both the Houthis and Hezbollah. Military analysts warn that any Israeli action on Iranian soil could trigger a broader regional war.
In Washington, the White House said it was “deeply concerned” by the spike in casualties and reiterated calls for restraint, while maintaining its support for Israel’s right to self-defence. The UN Security Council is expected to convene later this week to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
With Gaza hospitals stretched to breaking point, and southern Lebanon bracing for further strikes, the Middle East teeters on the brink of wider conflict, with diplomatic solutions growing more elusive by the day.
