64 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Airstrikes Across Gaza Strip

At least 64 Palestinians were killed on Saturday in a series of Israeli military attacks across the Gaza Strip, according to Gaza’s Civil Defence authority. The strikes targeted several areas including Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and northern towns such as Jabalia and Beit Lahia.

In the Shuja’iyya neighborhood, located east of Gaza City, seven young men were killed when Israeli artillery fired on a group of Palestinians who were attempting to return to their homes. Several others were injured in the same attack, as confirmed by local emergency services.

Another airstrike hit the entrance of Salah al-Din School in western Gaza City. The school was serving as a shelter for families who had fled previous attacks. Four people died in that strike, including a woman and two children. A fifth person was reported killed in a separate attack on a residential apartment in the northern part of the city.

In central Gaza, an Israeli airstrike targeted a warehouse used for distributing humanitarian aid in the city of Deir al-Balah. According to Civil Defence, nine people were killed in that strike. The warehouse was a key point for food and supply distribution to displaced civilians who are struggling with extreme shortages.

The local government in Gaza stated that the attack on the aid center shows a dangerous increase in what they call Israel’s effort to cut off food and resources from the population. They accused Israel of worsening the humanitarian situation in the region.

Elsewhere in the Gaza Strip, 11 Palestinians were killed in a separate strike on a civilian gathering. In the southern city of Khan Younis, 13 people lost their lives due to Israeli airstrikes. Meanwhile, in the northern areas of Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun, 19 people were confirmed dead following continued aerial bombardment.

The Israeli military said on Saturday morning that it had launched widespread attacks and was deploying more ground forces into parts of Gaza. The goal, according to the military statement, is to gain full control of the territory where resistance fighters are believed to be active.

Since March 18, when Israel resumed its full-scale campaign in Gaza, over 3,131 Palestinians have been killed and at least 8,632 more have been injured. These numbers were released by health officials in Gaza. The total death toll since the war began in October 2023 now stands at 53,272, with more than 120,000 people wounded.

The Government Media Office in Gaza reported that more than 200 Palestinians have been killed in the last 48 hours alone. Around 1,000 housing units were destroyed during that time. Authorities also said that about 140 people remain trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings. Emergency teams are struggling to reach them due to ongoing shelling and road closures.

Ambulance and rescue workers face serious challenges in accessing affected areas, especially in the northern parts of Gaza. Many destroyed buildings have not yet been cleared, and it is feared that the death toll will rise further as rescue operations continue.

The destruction of homes, shelters, and aid centers has worsened an already critical humanitarian crisis. Many people are without food, water, or electricity. Hospitals are running out of medical supplies, and fuel shortages are limiting the ability of rescue teams to operate.

International aid organizations have warned that the continuous bombing of aid centers and shelters will make it nearly impossible to deliver help to those in need. Several groups have called for a pause in hostilities to allow the flow of emergency aid.

Despite repeated calls from global leaders for a ceasefire, fighting continues across the Gaza Strip. Peace talks held in Egypt and Qatar have not led to any concrete agreement. The violence shows no sign of slowing, and the human cost continues to rise by the hour.