Israeli air strikes kill 50 in Gaza, with 29 others confirmed dead across various regions

At least 50 Palestinians have been killed in a series of Israeli air strikes across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, according to local health officials and first responders. The violence, which escalated throughout the day, marks a significant intensification in the ongoing conflict as the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) ramp up their military operations in Gaza.

The morning saw a devastating strike in the northern town of Jabalia, where a missile hit a police station located in the market area, killing nine people. Local hospital sources confirmed the casualties, while the IDF stated that its target was a “command-and-control centre” used by Hamas and its ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad to plan further attacks. The air strike aimed to disrupt militant operations but tragically claimed civilian lives.

Shortly after, another bombing in Jabalia’s Ard Halawa area left 12 more dead, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Civil Defence agency. Many others were believed to be trapped under the rubble, and rescue operations were ongoing. These deaths came amid growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis, with Gaza’s health ministry confirming that the total death toll since the resumption of Israel’s offensive in March had exceeded 1,978.

Later in the day, the conflict spread across other parts of Gaza, where 29 more individuals were reported dead. Among them was a family of six—a couple and their four children—who were killed when their home in the northern Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood was struck overnight. The family’s tragic death added to the growing toll, as the area remains a flashpoint in the ongoing air strikes.

In a further blow, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) identified one of the victims as Ali al-Sarafiti, a former prisoner and member of the armed group, whose family was reportedly caught in the crossfire. Meanwhile, Palestinian media reported that three displaced individuals were killed when their tent was hit near Nuseirat in central Gaza, and two children died when another tent was struck in the southern Khan Younis area.

Rania al-Jumla, who lost her sister in the Khan Younis strike, described the horrors of the situation, saying, “One by one, we are getting martyred, dying in pieces.” Her words reflect the widespread anguish and confusion as air strikes continue to devastate civilian areas.

The escalation has been accompanied by heightened international concern. The United Nations (UN) has urged Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza, which has been in place for over seven weeks. The UN argues that the blockade is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis by preventing essential aid from reaching the population. However, Israel maintains that its actions are in compliance with international law, asserting that the blockade is necessary to prevent Hamas from rearming.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued Thursday, the IDF emphasised its commitment to increasing pressure on Hamas, citing the group’s ongoing hostage-taking and its role in orchestrating the violence. The IDF’s Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, indicated that Israel would expand its operations into more intense military actions if there were no progress in securing the return of the 59 hostages still in Hamas’s custody.

The war, which was ignited by a massive cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, has already left more than 51,350 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The tragic human cost of the conflict continues to rise, as Israel pushes to eliminate Hamas while struggling to navigate the immense humanitarian challenges that have arisen in Gaza.

The situation remains dire, with over 420,000 Palestinians displaced in the last five weeks alone. The IDF’s evacuation orders cover almost 70% of Gaza, creating pressure on the civilian population as they seek refuge in increasingly shrinking spaces.

As international organisations and governments call for an immediate end to the blockade and an easing of restrictions, the toll on Gaza’s civilians mounts, with every strike exacerbating an already catastrophic situation. The world watches closely, hoping for a resolution to a conflict that has brought untold suffering to countless individuals.