Israeli Military Launches Intensified Operation in Gaza Amid Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis

The Israeli military has announced the early stages of a new operation in Gaza aimed at defeating Hamas, as the humanitarian situation in the besieged Palestinian territory continues to worsen. The operation, which comes as rescuers in Gaza report 10 killed in fresh strikes, marks the latest escalation in the conflict, which has seen thousands of Palestinians killed and injured since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18.

Gaza's last functioning hospital has warned it can no longer treat seriously wounded patients due to shortages of supplies and a nearby attack that damaged the premises. The hospital's director, Marwan Sultan, described the situation as "catastrophic" after its surroundings were targeted again this morning, causing the collapse of ceilings and cracks in the walls. The operating rooms and intensive care units are completely full, and the hospital is unable to receive any more critical cases.

The Israeli military has stated that the operation is part of "the expansion of the battle in the Gaza Strip, with the goal of achieving all the war's objectives, including the release of the abducted and the defeat of Hamas". The army has launched extensive strikes and transferred forces to seize control of areas within the Gaza Strip.

Key Takeaways:

• 10 people were killed in Gaza on Saturday in fresh strikes, bringing the total number of dead to at least 100 in the past two days.
• The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen, with critical shortages of food, clean water, fuel, and medicines reported.
• The last functioning hospital in Gaza has warned it can no longer treat seriously wounded patients due to shortages of supplies and a nearby attack.
• The Israeli military has launched extensive strikes and transferred forces to seize control of areas within the Gaza Strip.
• The conflict has resulted in the deaths of 2,985 people in Gaza since Israel resumed strikes on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 53,119.
• Hamas has accused Israel of pushing for a permanent demographic shift in Gaza that is in defiance of international law and tantamount to ethnic cleansing.
• The Arab League is to meet in Baghdad on Saturday to discuss regional crises, with Gaza expected to be high on the agenda.
• The US President Donald Trump acknowledged that "a lot of people are starving" in Gaza and promised to get the situation "taken care of".
• The Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Statistics:

• At least 10 people were killed in Gaza on Saturday in fresh strikes.
• The total number of dead in the past two days is at least 100.
• 2,985 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel resumed strikes on March 18.
• The war's overall toll is 53,119.
• 57 hostages remain in Gaza, including 34 the military says are dead.
• 251 hostages were taken during the October 2023 attack.

Sources:

• AFP - "Israeli military launches operation in Gaza amid worsening humanitarian crisis"
• AFP - "Gaza hospital warns it can no longer treat seriously wounded patients"
• AFP - "US President Donald Trump returns to US after regional tour that excluded key ally Israel"
• AFP - "Arab League to meet in Baghdad on Saturday to discuss regional crises"