The war in Gaza has entered yet another brutal phase, with Israeli forces escalating air and ground assaults on the suburbs of Gaza City over the weekend.
Heavy bombardments destroyed homes, forced mass displacement, and claimed dozens of lives, deepening an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
Local health officials reported that at least 18 Palestinians were killed on Sunday, including 13 shot near an aid distribution site in central Gaza and two killed in their home in Gaza City.
Entire neighborhoods, such as Sheikh Radwan, endured relentless tank fire and airstrikes, pushing desperate families to flee toward the city’s western outskirts in search of safety.
Israel’s military has been tightening its grip on Gaza City over the past three weeks, recently designating it a “dangerous combat zone” and halting temporary humanitarian pauses that had allowed aid delivery.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet was set to convene Sunday night to discuss plans for a large-scale offensive aimed at capturing the city—described by Israel as Hamas’ “last stronghold.”
While a full-scale invasion is expected to take weeks, fears are mounting over the displacement of civilians.
The International Committee of the Red Cross warned that mass evacuations would overwhelm Gaza’s already devastated central and southern regions, where severe shortages of food, water, shelter, and medical supplies persist.
With around half of Gaza’s two million residents now crammed into Gaza City, many families have nowhere to go.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has reportedly cautioned political leaders that intensified operations could endanger the lives of hostages still held by Hamas.
Public anger is rising in Israel, where protests demanding a ceasefire and the release of hostages are growing louder. Families of captives staged demonstrations outside ministers’ homes on Sunday, following massive rallies in Tel Aviv the previous night.
This war, now nearing its second year, began with Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign has since killed over 63,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. Entire neighborhoods have been leveled, and humanitarian agencies warn of famine-like conditions as aid struggles to reach those in need.
The continuing cycle of violence has brought Gaza to the brink of collapse, devastating families on both sides and heightening regional instability.
With civilian suffering mounting at an alarming rate, there are renewed calls from international organizations and human rights advocates for a comprehensive political solution to this protracted conflict.
The world is watching as Gaza’s humanitarian crisis spirals. The staggering loss of life underscores the urgency of dialogue, compromise, and meaningful action to bring an end to decades of bloodshed and pave the way for lasting peace.
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