The Civil Defense Agency in Gaza has reported that 19 people were killed following a series of Israeli airstrikes on and around Gaza City, an area the Israeli military seeks to bring under full control.
According to agency spokesperson Mahmud Bassal, the strikes hit buildings and tents sheltering displaced Palestinians in several neighborhoods and on the city’s outskirts, where the United Nations estimates over one million people face famine.
Israel has intensified its bombardments of Gaza City after announcing plans for a major offensive aimed at full military control.
Israeli army spokesperson Nadav Shoshani stated earlier that there would be no prior announcement regarding the start of the offensive in order to “maintain the element of surprise.” Another military spokesperson confirmed that Israel already controls 40% of the city.
Officials believe the new offensive could force nearly one million Palestinians to flee southward within the Gaza Strip.
Background on the War in Gaza
The Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas – designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union – launched an attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 others.
In response, Israel launched a full-scale military campaign. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza, more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war. The United Nations considers these figures to be credible.
