KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip – In the Gaza Strip’s southern region of Khan Younis, Israel escalated its offensive on Saturday, issuing evacuation orders for additional neighborhoods and witnessing a surge in the death toll.
Calls from the United States and other international actors for enhanced measures to protect civilians grew louder in the aftermath of a collapsed truce.
The possibility of renewed cease-fires in Gaza appeared increasingly bleak as Israel withdrew its negotiators from talks.
Simultaneously, Hamas’ deputy leader underscored that any future exchange involving Gaza-held hostages and Palestinians incarcerated by Israel would only be considered as part of a comprehensive resolution to the conflict.
In a televised address on Saturday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed the Israeli commitment to persist with the conflict until all objectives were met, emphasizing the indispensability of a ground operation.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported a staggering death toll exceeding 15,200 since the onset of the war on October 7.
While the ministry does not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties, it noted that a significant 70% of the deceased were women and children.
Additionally, over 40,000 people have sustained injuries during the course of the conflict.
The densely populated southern half of Gaza, home to nearly 2 million Palestinians, faced intensified airstrikes targeting various locations.
Among the heavily affected areas were the Shujaia neighborhood in Gaza City and the Jabaliya refugee camp, where buildings were reduced to rubble, and casualties mounted.
The prevailing atmosphere in the region remained one of uncertainty and fear, with residents expressing dismay and questioning the safety of their surroundings amid the ongoing and escalating conflict.
The situation underscored the urgent need for diplomatic intervention and a renewed commitment to finding a sustainable resolution to the longstanding tensions in the region.