Nearly 80 people were killed in the latest wave of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, with many of the deaths occurring in areas where access to hospitals is now impossible, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry. Among the dead were nine of a pediatrician’s ten children, killed in a strike in Khan Younis.
The lone surviving child, an 11-year-old, remains in critical condition. The children’s ages ranged from seven months to 12 years, and some bodies are still believed to be buried under rubble. The Israeli military claims the area was a war zone and that it targeted militants operating near its forces. It stated that harm to civilians is under review.
Gaza Death Toll Rises Sharply Amid Renewed Strikes And Ongoing Humanitarian Blockade
Gaza health authorities say the death toll in the territory has risen to 53,901 since the war began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Since Israel resumed its offensive in March, over 3,700 people have been killed. The ongoing conflict, now entering its 19th month, continues to take a devastating toll on civilians. The Israeli military reported striking over 100 targets in the past day alone, highlighting the intensity of renewed combat operations.
Gaza Airstrikes Kill Dozens Including Doctor’s Children as Civilian Toll and Allegations EscalateThe situation in Gaza has been worsened by a near-total blockade since March, cutting off essential supplies to over 2 million residents. Although some aid trucks have entered the region recently, the number is a fraction of what was allowed during earlier ceasefires.
Disputes between Israel and humanitarian agencies over the aid distribution system have stalled larger deliveries. The United Nations and partner organizations have rejected Israel’s proposed system, accusing it of violating humanitarian principles, while Israel accuses Hamas of diverting aid, a claim not substantiated by aid groups.
Allegations Mount Over Israeli Military’s Use of Civilians as Human Shields in Gaza
Serious allegations have surfaced accusing the Israeli military of using Palestinian civilians as human shields — a practice prohibited under international law. Reports from Palestinian detainees and an Israeli soldier suggest that civilians were coerced into entering buildings and tunnels suspected of harboring threats.
These claims echo earlier reports, including one from CBS News, raising questions about Israel’s conduct during military operations. One former detainee described being forced into dangerous areas under threat of death, reinforcing concerns about the misuse of non-combatants.
In response to these allegations, the Israeli military has reiterated that it strictly prohibits the use of civilians as shields or coercion in military operations. While the military acknowledges it is investigating several such cases, it has not provided further details or clarified the scope of the issue.
Israeli officials continue to blame Hamas for the high civilian death toll, accusing the group of embedding within civilian populations. The lack of transparency and the severity of the accusations contribute to mounting international scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in the conflict.