Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 91 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip overnight, according to the health ministry run by Hamas. This escalation comes as Israel resumes its military operations after a ceasefire that had temporarily halted fighting in the ongoing 17-month war. The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, reported that five UN staff members were among those killed, bringing the total number of UNRWA fatalities to 284. These staff members included teachers, doctors, and nurses who were helping vulnerable populations in Gaza.
Lazzarini expressed deep concern about the situation, stating that people in Gaza are facing severe hardships once again. He warned that the worst may still be ahead, describing the ongoing violence as an "endless unleashing of the most inhumane ordeals."
Tzipi Hotovely, Israel’s ambassador to the UK, claimed that Hamas was responsible for breaking the ceasefire by not releasing hostages. She argued that Israel had been patient, waiting three weeks for the release of hostages before resuming military action. Hotovely emphasized that Hamas could end the conflict by releasing the remaining 59 hostages.
The Israeli military announced that it had begun ground operations in Rafah and was targeting what it described as Hamas infrastructure. They claimed to have dismantled terrorist facilities, including a hospital that Israel alleges was used by Hamas as a command center. The military also stated that operations were continuing in northern and central Gaza.
On Tuesday, Israel had resumed heavy airstrikes, resulting in over 400 deaths, thus ending the ceasefire. Reports indicate that strikes hit residential areas in Khan Younis and Rafah, with hospitals reporting numerous casualties, including many women and children. A father and his seven children were among those killed in one of the attacks.
Hamas has responded by firing rockets into Israel, although no casualties were reported from those attacks. Meanwhile, discussions between Hamas and mediators are ongoing, as both sides grapple with how to proceed after the ceasefire’s collapse.
The conflict has escalated dramatically since it began in October 2023, following a deadly attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 Israelis and took over 250 hostages. Since then, more than 49,000 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives due to the fighting. The situation remains dire, with both humanitarian and military concerns escalating in the region.