Israeli offensive Gaza/ Gaza hospitals threatened/ Jabaliya fighting/ Hezbollah escalation/ Gaza humanitarian crisis/ Newslooks/ DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ An Israeli military offensive in northern Gaza has resulted in dozens of casualties and threatens three hospitals, escalating the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The operation has trapped many residents in Jabaliya as fighting intensifies, while the Gaza Health Ministry struggles with mounting casualties. The assault extends Israel’s conflict to Hezbollah in Lebanon, and tensions rise with Iran.
Escalating Gaza Conflict: Israeli Offensive Threatens Hospitals – Quick Looks
- Heavy Casualties: Israeli strikes on northern Gaza kill dozens, with more under rubble.
- Hospital Threats: Three hospitals face closure, hindering critical medical care.
- Residents Trapped: Jabaliya residents unable to flee as fighting intensifies.
- Widening Conflict: Israeli operations extend into Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah.
- International Tensions: Iran considers involvement; region-wide instability increases.
Dozens Killed in Israeli Offensive in Gaza’s North
Deep Look
In northern Gaza, Israel’s ongoing military offensive has intensified, with strikes on densely populated areas claiming dozens of lives and critically threatening medical infrastructure. Palestinian authorities in Gaza report that the latest operation has isolated regions such as Jabaliya, where civilians remain trapped amidst heavy bombardment, fearing displacement and destruction.
Israel’s recent military focus in Gaza comes a year after Hamas-led forces launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, igniting this latest stage in the conflict. In response, Israeli troops have carried out extensive operations, particularly in Jabaliya, a refugee camp that dates to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Residents say that Israeli jets and drones blanket the skies, with strikes occurring so frequently that casualties cannot be promptly tended to or recovered. Mohammed Awda, a local resident, described the scene as “hell,” adding that three bodies have lain in the street outside his home, unreachable due to heavy fighting. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that since Sunday, 40 bodies have been recovered in Jabaliya alone, with many more likely inaccessible under the rubble.
Humanitarian concerns are escalating as Gaza’s limited medical infrastructure approaches collapse. With increasing casualties, the Health Ministry has declared a state of emergency, calling for immediate aid and resources. Al-Ahly Hospital in Gaza City reports surging admissions from the conflict, suspending routine surgeries and clearing beds to accommodate those wounded in the latest violence. Farther north, three other hospitals – Kamal Adwan, Awda, and the Indonesian Hospital – are on the brink of shutdown as staff are forced to evacuate amidst intense fighting. These hospitals, which once served large parts of Gaza’s population, now struggle to remain operational due to restricted access, depleted resources, and ongoing threats from military strikes.
Israeli forces justify their actions as part of an intensified strategy to dismantle Hamas’s presence, claiming to target only militants while accusing Hamas of positioning itself in residential zones. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli military, reported that the ongoing operations in Jabaliya had neutralized approximately 100 militants, though this figure remains unverified. Meanwhile, Israel has continued to urge civilians to leave northern Gaza for designated humanitarian zones in the south, where overcrowding and poor sanitation have contributed to a growing humanitarian crisis. With transportation and evacuation routes restricted, many residents feel trapped or unwilling to leave, fearing loss of their homes or forced displacement.
Beyond Gaza, the conflict has intensified on a broader scale. Israeli forces have expanded their operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, warning the Lebanese population of a possible repeat of the devastation seen in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Lebanon directly, urging its citizens to oppose Hezbollah or risk similar destruction. Israeli airstrikes recently targeted a hotel in the town of Wardaniyeh, killing four people and injuring 10 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. This strike is one of many launched across Lebanon in recent weeks, allegedly aimed at Hezbollah’s rocket launchers and leadership figures.
Adding to the regional instability, Israel is evaluating options for a potential strike on Iran, which has strongly supported Hezbollah and Hamas. Tensions rose last week when Iran launched over 180 ballistic missiles toward Israel in retaliation for the killing of key figures within both Hamas and Hezbollah. Analysts warn that any escalation involving Iran could widen the conflict further, potentially implicating other regional powers and escalating a cycle of destruction that has already displaced millions.
Amid a prolonged humanitarian crisis, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees has urged action as resources dwindle. Seven of its schools serving as temporary shelters in Gaza have evacuated, while water resources in Jabaliya face critical shortages. Ahmed Qamar, a Jabaliya resident, expressed a sentiment echoed by many: “People here say clearly that they will die here in northern Gaza and won’t go to southern Gaza.”
Israel’s ongoing offensive, one of the most extensive in recent years, has inflicted profound devastation, with Palestinian reports indicating over 42,000 deaths to date, many of them civilians. With the displaced population now comprising 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, conditions across the region grow increasingly dire as violence persists and diplomatic solutions remain elusive.
