Palestinian health officials report that Israel’s military operation in Gaza has resulted in over 50,000 deaths, reports RTE.
According to the health ministry, at least 50,021 Palestinians have lost their lives, and 113,274 have been injured since the conflict began.
The Israeli military confirmed in a statement that it killed Salah al-Bardaweel, a Hamas political leader, yesterday, reports RTE.
Hamas announced earlier today that Bardaweel was killed in an airstrike on Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
After two months of relative calm in the 17-month war, Gazans are once again fleeing as Israel intensifies air and ground attacks on Hamas.
Explosions were heard across northern, central, and southern Gaza early this morning, with Israeli airstrikes targeting multiple locations, escalating the assault that began on Tuesday, reports RTE.
Health officials stated that at least 30 people, including three municipal workers, have been killed in airstrikes on Rafah and Khan Younis today.
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned on X that an operation was underway in the Tel Al-Sultan neighborhood of western Rafah, reports RTE.
In a statement, Hamas accused Israel of assassinating Bardaweel, saying he was praying with his wife when an Israeli missile struck their tent in Khan Younis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that the war’s primary goal is to dismantle Hamas as a military and governing entity.
He explained that the new offensive aims to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining hostages, reports RTE.
Hamas’ de facto government leader Essam Addalees and internal security chief Mahmoud Abu Watfa were killed in Tuesday’s Israeli strikes, along with several officials.
Palestinian health authorities reported that at least 400 people, mostly women and children, were killed in the attacks on Tuesday.
Hamas has accused Israel of violating the January ceasefire terms by refusing to begin talks on ending the war and withdrawing troops from Gaza, reports RTE.
Despite this, Hamas stated it is open to negotiations and is reviewing compromise proposals from US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff.
The resurgence of airstrikes and ground offensives has led to renewed international calls for a ceasefire from Arab and European nations.
Britain, France, and Germany issued a joint statement urging Israel to restore humanitarian aid access to Gaza, reports RTE.
Israel has blocked the entry of supplies, while Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser, Ophir Falk, accused Hamas of seizing aid for its own use, a claim Hamas has denied.
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following a Hamas attack on Israeli communities on 7 October 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 251 hostages.
The Israeli offensive has left more than 49,000 Palestinians dead, according to health officials, and has devastated much of Gaza, forcing hundreds of thousands into tents and makeshift shelters, reports RTE.
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