Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza: 78 Casualties Confirmed \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Israeli airstrikes killed at least 78 in Gaza Tuesday, predominantly women and children, as the humanitarian crisis deepens. Israel’s decision to restrict the U.N. agency UNRWA, which provides essential supplies to Palestinians, adds new challenges to the worsening situation. Hezbollah, now under Sheikh Naim Kassem, escalates hostilities, firing rockets in response to Israel’s recent strikes.
Gaza Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis: Quick Looks
- Escalating Civilian Toll: Israeli strikes in northern Gaza killed at least 78, with women and children comprising a significant portion of the casualties.
- Humanitarian Aid in Crisis: Israel passed laws curtailing UNRWA’s operations, which may limit Gaza’s access to food, water, and medical aid.
- UNRWA’s Vital Role: International groups warn of severe humanitarian impacts if UNRWA aid is interrupted, calling it a “disaster” for Palestinians.
- Hezbollah Leadership Change: Hezbollah announces Sheikh Naim Kassem as the new leader, vowing continued opposition to Israel.
- Rising Tensions in Lebanon: Hezbollah intensifies rocket fire, and Israeli strikes on Lebanon escalate cross-border conflict.
- International Repercussions: The U.S. has warned Israel to increase humanitarian aid or risk a reduction in U.S. military assistance.
Deep Look
Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza on Tuesday killed at least 78 people, predominantly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The strikes are part of Israel’s intensified campaign against Hamas in Gaza, where hostilities have sharply escalated in recent weeks. In response to continued violence in the region, Israel has also increased its ground operations in northern Gaza, aiming to dismantle Hamas strongholds. The escalation, which has further destabilized northern Gaza, is pushing already limited humanitarian resources to the brink. Concerns continue to grow as Israeli military operations in areas like Beit Lahiya have caused a significant toll on civilians, raising alarms globally about deteriorating living conditions for Palestinian civilians who remain in the area despite the danger.
The increased air and ground operations come as Israeli lawmakers passed legislation to sever ties with UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which has served as the primary distributor of essential supplies, including food, water, and medical care in Gaza. The new laws also prevent UNRWA from operating within Israeli territory, raising fears that future aid efforts will be severely hampered. Given that Israel exercises control over Gaza and the West Bank’s access points, it remains uncertain how UNRWA will deliver aid under the new restrictions, with many experts warning of a rapid deterioration of already grave humanitarian conditions.
John Fowler, UNRWA’s spokesperson, warned that if the agency’s operations in Gaza unravel, the ensuing crisis would be “a disaster within a series of disasters.” UNRWA plays a central role in humanitarian aid in Gaza, as other U.N. and international aid organizations rely on its logistics network and workforce to deliver aid efficiently. For decades, UNRWA has provided vital services, including medical assistance, educational programs, and essential resources to Palestinian refugees. The loss of UNRWA’s presence could jeopardize access to healthcare, food, and shelter for millions of Palestinians.
The situation has led to calls from multiple international organizations for an immediate solution to secure continuous aid flow to the region. Many stress that cutting ties with UNRWA may hinder critical humanitarian operations in Gaza and the West Bank, where the majority of Palestinians depend on the agency’s health services, educational resources, and emergency relief. Nearly 13,000 UNRWA staff members, including health professionals offering immunization, malnutrition screenings, and disease monitoring, provide essential care that the World Health Organization (WHO) says cannot be matched by any other organization.
In Lebanon, the militant group Hezbollah announced the election of Sheikh Naim Kassem as its new secretary-general following the death of longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike last month. Kassem, who has been Nasrallah’s deputy for over three decades, stated that Hezbollah would continue its policies, pledging that the group’s opposition to Israel would persist “until victory is achieved.” This announcement signals further tensions as Hezbollah has been actively firing rockets into Israel since the Gaza conflict began, escalating regional hostilities. Iran, a staunch backer of both Hamas and Hezbollah, has also engaged in direct skirmishes with Israel in recent months, further complicating the already volatile situation in the Middle East.
On Tuesday afternoon, a rocket hit the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) base in southern Lebanon, injuring eight Austrian soldiers. The rocket, reportedly fired from Hezbollah-controlled areas, struck a workshop within UNIFIL’s compound. As tensions intensify, Israeli forces have also targeted areas in Lebanon, including strikes on Sidon that resulted in casualties, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. These developments mark a significant escalation in the Israel-Lebanon conflict, as both sides continue to exchange fire.
In the aftermath of the Gaza strikes, Kamal Adwan Hospital, located near the impacted area of Beit Lahiya, was overwhelmed by the influx of casualties, according to Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, the hospital’s director. Israeli forces raided the hospital over the weekend, detaining several medics, further straining Gaza’s already limited healthcare infrastructure. In response to these casualties, Israel’s military confirmed that it is investigating the initial airstrike but has yet to comment on the subsequent strike later that evening.
The intensifying Israeli operations have targeted not only residential areas but also shelters for displaced individuals, leading to hundreds of civilian deaths in recent months. While Israel asserts that its strikes are aimed at Hamas combatants, the high rate of civilian casualties, including women and children, has drawn international criticism. On Tuesday, Israel reported that four of its soldiers were killed in northern Gaza, bringing the military death toll to 16 since the operation’s start. Hamas, meanwhile, has stated its openness to resume negotiations for a ceasefire, though its demands—a ceasefire and complete withdrawal of Israeli forces—remain contentious and have been previously rejected by Israel.
With the Gaza conflict reaching critical levels, the UNRWA restrictions highlight the potential for a widening humanitarian disaster. The current conflict traces back to October 2023 when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and taking around 250 hostages. Since then, Israel’s retaliatory operations have resulted in more than 43,000 Palestinian deaths, with approximately 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents now displaced, many of whom have been forced to relocate multiple times due to the ongoing airstrikes.
Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza
