Urgent: 50 Dead in Gaza as Israel Intensifies Attacks on City

BREAKING: Fifty people have been confirmed dead in Gaza following a surge in Israeli military operations targeting Gaza City, according to the territory’s civil defense agency. The attacks intensified on Friday, with Israel reportedly aiming to seize control of the city, a crucial stronghold for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, whose actions sparked the ongoing conflict in October 2023.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza City is deteriorating rapidly, with the United Nations declaring a famine as international leaders express urgent concern. The UN, alongside Britain, France, and Germany, has called for an “immediate” halt to the offensive, citing civilian casualties and the destruction of vital infrastructure.

The civil defense agency reported that of the 50 fatalities, 35 occurred in Gaza City while 15 were in other regions. As the Israeli military escalates its “wide-scale strikes on terrorist infrastructure,” civilian lives hang in the balance, with many suffering devastating losses. A single strike in northwest Gaza City left 14 dead, predominantly women and children. “Only two bodies were intact, while the rest were body parts,” recounted relative Hazem al Sultan.

Scenes of grief unfolded at Al-Shifa hospital, where mourners prayed over the deceased, wrapped in white shrouds, some tragically small. Despite repeated evacuation warnings from the Israeli army, many residents have nowhere to flee, as strikes have also targeted areas in the south where they were urged to move.

The United Nations estimates that around one million people remain in and around Gaza City. Evacuating such a large population could lead to catastrophic consequences, officials warn. Meanwhile, Israel has announced plans to “increase the volume of aid entering into the humanitarian area” in the south in preparation for the influx of displaced residents.

Criticism of the Israeli offensive comes from various quarters, including the organization representing families of hostages taken during the October attack. They condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming the military operations jeopardize the lives of the remaining 47 hostages in Gaza, with 25 believed to be deceased.

Since the onset of hostilities, the death toll has soared, with reports indicating that the Israeli offensive has claimed at least 64,756 lives, predominantly civilians, based on figures from the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza, which the UN regards as credible.

As the situation unfolds, the world watches closely, with calls for immediate action to protect civilians and address the escalating humanitarian crisis. The international community continues to grapple with the implications of this conflict, which has already claimed over 1,219 lives amidst escalating violence.

Stay tuned for more updates as this urgent situation develops.