Image Credits - Al Jazeera
Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Thursday resulted in the deaths of at least 40 Palestinians, escalating the ongoing conflict as Israel prepares for a potential broader regional conflict. This latest surge of violence marks the 11th month of Israel’s military operations against Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza.
The Israeli military’s bombardment targeted several locations, including the Al-Bureij and Al-Nuseirat refugee camps, central Gaza, and Gaza City. According to Palestinian medics, the strikes in these densely populated areas resulted in significant casualties. In one incident, airstrikes on two schools in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood killed 15 people and injured 30. The Israeli military claimed that these facilities were used by Hamas as command and control centres, a claim that Hamas denies. “We have targeted military positions within these schools, which were used for Hamas operations,” said an Israeli military spokesperson to Reuters.
As the airstrikes continued, militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad responded by firing anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs at Israeli forces, resulting in casualties among the troops. The ongoing conflict, which began on October 7 of last year with a Hamas-led assault on Israeli communities, has led to significant losses on both sides. Since then, Israeli air and ground operations have claimed the lives of at least 39,699 Palestinians and injured over 91,000, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The conflict has also drawn in regional players, with Iran and Hezbollah pledging retaliation for recent assassinations of key figures linked to Hamas and Hezbollah.
In response to the escalating violence, the Israeli military has issued new evacuation orders for residents in Khan Younis and other areas, urging them to relocate to safer zones. The displacement of families has further strained humanitarian resources in Gaza. The World Central Kitchen reported that one of its Palestinian staff members was killed in an incident near Deir Al-Balah, though Israeli officials stated they were unaware of the specifics of this report.
As the conflict continues, Israel is preparing for further attacks, while both sides brace for potential escalation. “The situation remains highly volatile, with the risk of a broader regional conflict growing,” said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist from Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University, highlighting the intensifying tensions.