GAZA: In a tragic escalation of violence, 47 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, lost their lives in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza’s central region, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA on Friday.
Dozens of others suffered injuries in the overnight assault, which struck densely populated areas, including the city of Deir Al-Balah, Nuseirat refugee camp, and the town of Al-Zawayda.
Israel’s ongoing offensive, now in its most intense phase, has resulted in the deaths of over 43,000 Palestinians, with thousands more displaced or injured as infrastructure collapses under the heavy bombardment. Gaza’s health system, already strained, is struggling to cope with the influx of casualties, further compounded by strikes on medical facilities. According to local health officials, 46 Palestinians were killed on Thursday alone, most of whom were in northern Gaza, where hospitals and residential neighborhoods have come under fire.
The northern region of Gaza, including Jabalia and Beit Lahiya, has seen some of the fiercest attacks. Health officials reported that Israeli military strikes targeted Kamal Adwan Hospital, disrupting medical services and setting fire to essential supplies. Gaza’s health ministry condemned the attack on the hospital, emphasizing the critical need for medical resources in a region where civilian casualties are high.
In a statement, Israel’s military alleged that Hamas has been using Kamal Adwan Hospital for military purposes, claiming that armed fighters have been sheltering there. Health officials and representatives from Hamas deny these allegations, maintaining that hospitals in Gaza are strictly humanitarian zones under immense pressure to provide care amid relentless bombardment.
As the conflict intensifies, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, with thousands of families forcibly displaced. According to local authorities, entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, pushing residents to seek shelter in overcrowded schools, mosques, and makeshift shelters that provide little security. The lack of electricity, clean water, and medical supplies has brought conditions to a critical level.
International aid agencies have raised alarms about the deteriorating situation, with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reporting a desperate need for emergency assistance.
“With the scale of displacement and destruction, Gaza’s population is on the brink,” an UNRWA spokesperson stated, urging the international community to facilitate safe corridors for the delivery of food, water, and medical supplies. However, access to Gaza remains severely restricted, with only limited humanitarian aid permitted through the Rafah crossing.
The intensifying conflict has also drawn responses from neighboring countries and international organizations. Egypt and Jordan have both called for an immediate ceasefire, reiterating the urgent need for peace in a region marked by escalating hostilities.
Turkey, which has historically played a mediating role in the Israel-Palestine conflict, has condemned the recent airstrikes, describing them as a “grave violation of international humanitarian law.” European Union officials, while reiterating support for Israel’s right to self-defense, have expressed concern over the civilian toll in Gaza, calling for measured action to prevent further loss of life.
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session on Thursday to discuss the ongoing violence, but a resolution calling for a ceasefire was blocked due to a lack of consensus among member states. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his appeal for restraint, urging all parties to protect civilians and uphold international law. “The conflict’s human cost is staggering, and every effort must be made to prevent further suffering,” Guterres said.
Local leaders and health officials have continued to issue statements on the impact of the conflict. Dr. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry, stated, “The destruction and relentless targeting of civilians and medical facilities are catastrophic. We are losing entire families in these attacks, and our healthcare infrastructure is reaching a breaking point.”
In Gaza City, community leaders are calling for a halt to hostilities, emphasizing the need for international intervention. Several local organizations have organized small-scale, peaceful demonstrations in protest of the ongoing bombardment, although movement across the region is heavily restricted, limiting opportunities for public gatherings.
The conflict has also impacted Lebanon, where recent Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted what the Israeli government claims are Hezbollah positions, intensifying hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border. Israel’s air campaign in southern Lebanon is aimed at containing Hezbollah forces, who are engaged in frequent cross-border skirmishes with Israeli troops. Lebanese health officials report that casualties have risen in the region, with damage to infrastructure and displacement of local populations.
Adding to these security concerns, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently opted to postpone his son’s wedding due to fears of drone attacks. The decision, reported by Israeli public broadcaster KAN, underscores the security challenges Israel faces on multiple fronts. Meanwhile, Netanyahu has requested enhanced security for his eldest son, Yair, currently residing in the United States, amid growing fears of retaliatory attacks by Iranian-backed groups.
International calls for peace continue to grow, as global leaders, including Pope Francis, reiterate the need for diplomacy and a resolution to the crisis. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have urged both sides to prioritize the safety of civilians, demanding accountability for violations of international law.
While the current situation remains volatile, diplomatic efforts are ongoing. The United States and European Union are reportedly in discussions with regional powers to negotiate a potential truce, although concrete progress remains limited. In the meantime, humanitarian agencies continue to appeal for increased access to Gaza to deliver much-needed aid to a population in dire need.
The next hearing on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis is scheduled for early November, where further efforts to address this escalating emergency will be discussed.
