Israeli airstrikes killed at least 58 Palestinians in Gaza overnight, according to local health authorities, marking one of the deadliest phases of bombardment since March. The attacks come as Israel mobilizes troops for a potential ground offensive aimed at achieving "operational control" in parts of the enclave.
Over 300 Gazans have died in strikes since Thursday, with hospitals overwhelmed and victims trapped under rubble. Marwan Al-Sultan, director of northern Gaza's Indonesian Hospital, described conditions as "catastrophic," emphasizing the urgent need for medical supplies and international intervention.
Israel's military confirmed preparations to expand operations under "Operation Gideon's Wagons," targeting Hamas' capabilities and hostage recovery. The escalation follows U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East tour, which concluded without progress toward a ceasefire. Trump acknowledged Gaza's worsening hunger crisis amid Israel's 76-day blockade of aid, which UN experts warn could lead to famine.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved plans for an intensified offensive earlier this month, potentially involving full control of Gaza. The conflict, triggered by Hamas' October 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis, has displaced most of Gaza's population and claimed over 53,000 lives, per local authorities.
As armored forces gather along Gaza's border, global calls grow for renewed ceasefire talks and humanitarian access. The UN Security Council faces mounting pressure to address what aid chief Tom Fletcher termed a potential "genocide" in the making.
