Health officials said airstrikes slammed the Gaza Strip and killed dozens as Israel reaffirmed its plans to occupy more land with the enclave and bring all 2 million Gaza residents south.
One of the most deadly bombardments hit a close to a popular cafe in Gaza city where young people gathered to kill 33 to use the internet, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health. Hospitals in the Gaza Strip reported casualties caused by other airstrikes throughout the day, ministry officials at Zaher Al-Whaidi said. Israeli forces did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the targets of the attack.
A new violence emerged after Israel announced earlier this week that it was calling for tens of thousands of military reserves to enact a war expansion. Israeli leaders say the campaign pressures Hamas to compromise on ceasefire negotiations that have stopped, and hopes to release the hostages they hold in Gaza.
In Gaza city, the bodies of young men were scattered outside the cafe, as women watched in horror, according to a photographer from the New York Times. Outside of Alsifa Hospital in Gaza, one mourner clenched his head in agony and wore a sweatshirt with the words “Like” written on it.
Dr Munir Al Barsh, director of Gaza's health ministry, said one hospital was unable to accommodate a large number of casualties. The strike was tense The already overwhelming health sector of the Gaza Strip. Health officials said 59 people were killed across the enclave on Wednesday. Their tolls do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
Video obtained by Reuters News Agency shows people running while carrying stretchers with the injured. The donkey was seen moving in the pool of blood on the ground.
“No people or animals were safe, no young or old,” said witness Ahmed al-Soudi.
“There's enough, enough bloodshed,” he said.
It is a tragic humanitarian situation to exacerbate Gazan's misery. Famine in Gaza has skyrocketed since Israel imposed aid supply in March, urging the UN to warn about a “growth humanitarian catastrophe.” Israel argues that the lockdown is legal and that Gaza still has sufficient available provisions.
Speaking to Israeli forces, Israeli Defense Minister Katz said the Gaza displacement (who had recently returned to his home in northern Gaza) would protect Israeli forces “from all sorts of threats.”
He described it as part of a new military attack that begins after President Trump visits the Middle East next week. Until then, Hamas had agreed to a new ceasefire negotiation and had a “window of opportunity” to free Israeli hostages, he said.
“The entire Gazan population will be evacuated to the southern part of Gaza, creating a distinction from Hamas terrorists,” Katz said. “Unlike the past, the IDF stays in every territory that has been conquered, to prevent the resurrection of terrorism, and to wipe out and stop the threat.”
Hamas spokesman Bassem Naim accused Israel of trying to force negotiations “through the threat of expanding star tactics, continued genocide and military operations,” but it was not a guarantee that the 18-month war would be over. “That kind of attempt will not succeed in breaking the will of our people or their resistance,” Naim said.
Even before Katz's announcement, plans to force people in northern Gaza were driving a new wave of despair among the Palestinian civilians on the territory.
“We don't want to hear the word 'evacuation' again,” said Annie Ginnied, a Palestinian displaced person living in a combined shelter between northern Gaza. Jneed said his family had already had six difficulties avoiding since the war began in October 2023.
“Displacement means death, humiliation, homelessness,” Jneed added.
Jneed may have been the first influence of Israel's plans to acquire a large portion of Gaza and move the people who live there south. Israeli authorities said Monday that they were calling tens of thousands of military reserves to enact a spread of the war. Israeli leaders say the campaign pressures Hamas to compromise on ceasefire negotiations that have stopped, and hopes to release the hostages they hold in Gaza.
All of these contribute to a deeper sense of darkness among the civilians of Gazan. Wafa al-Ghouty, 35, an accountant and mother of five, said seven had been difficult to avoid since the start of the war. She is currently taking shelter in a tent in a coastal area of ​​southern Gaza.
“The situation is extremely challenging not only due to repeated displacements, but also due to the hunger and the helplessness of not being able to even provide bread,” Al Gootie said in an interview. “Every time we settle down, we are forced to move again.”
Al Gucci said he plans to cook his final bag of pasta within 24 hours. “We miss the news because we sometimes focus on survival in finding food and medicine for our kids,” she said. “But this announcement was hit like Thunderbolt,” she said she had already packed a small bag with her child's clothes and important documents.
It has been about two months since Israel resumed its military campaign after Israel collapsed ceasefire talks. The new attacks have resulted in nearly a day of airstrikes and escalating ground operations, killing thousands and injuries.
According to the United Nations, more than 1.9 million people (most of Gaza's population) have been evacuated since the war began.
The humanitarian situation has been significantly worsening in recent weeks due to Israel's lockdown on aid supply. Most bakeries are no longer in operation, food stocks are running out, and medical supplies are very low.
Jneed said he has a hard time providing basic necessities to his two children. The family is now surviving on one meal a day.
“Every hour we pass,” he said. “It's worse than before.”
Aaron Boxaman Reports of contributions.
