Escalating Violence in Gaza Amid Israeli Military Campaign

Israel has significantly escalated its bombing campaign in Gaza, with the Israeli military striking over 150 targets in 24 hours, killing at least 109 people and bringing the total death toll to 284. The strikes are seen as preparatory moves for a larger operation, "Operation Gideon Chariot", which aims to capture Gaza and force its population to move to a small enclave in the southern Gaza Strip. The operation was approved by Israel's security cabinet earlier this month, with the condition that it would be carried out if no hostage deal was reached by the end of US President Donald Trump's visit to the region, which ended on Friday. The bombing campaign has had a devastating impact, with entire families being killed, including a nurse and his wife and five children. The UN has warned that one in five people in Gaza are facing starvation due to Israel's blockade on food, fuel, and water since March. Israel plans to control aid distribution via private military contractors, which the UN has called a "deliberate attempt to weaponise" aid.

Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon condemned UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher for accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Fletcher stated that Israel was "deliberately and unashamedly imposing inhumane conditions on civilians" and that most of Gaza was under Israeli militarized zones or displacement orders. Danon responded that Fletcher's remarks were "utterly inappropriate and deeply irresponsible" and that he had "shattered any notion of neutrality." Danon questioned Fletcher's authority to make the accusation and accused him of prejudging complex international matters. An OCHA spokesperson clarified that Fletcher was calling for action to prevent genocide, not making a legal determination. Danon turned the tables on Fletcher, asking if he had done enough to prevent the October 7 attacks and hold Hamas accountable.

At least 93 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza on Friday, with hundreds more injured, according to local medics. The strikes hit areas including the northern town of Beit Lahia and the Jabalia refugee camp, as well as Khan Younis and Deir al Balah in southern Gaza. The death toll since Thursday now exceeds 250. Israel said it had struck over 150 military targets across Gaza, including an observation compound where it claimed to have killed several militants. The violence continues amid a three-month-old Israeli aid blockade on Gaza, with US President Donald Trump commenting on the humanitarian crisis during his visit to the Middle East, saying "we got to get that taken care of".

Gunfire was heard in central Gaza on Saturday, hours after Israel said its forces were mobilizing to advance into the territory. The Israeli military had intensified its bombardment in recent days, killing over 90 people on Friday. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has continued since October 2023, resulting in over 50,000 Palestinian deaths. Mediators, including the US Trump administration, are attempting to negotiate a temporary truce, but Hamas is refusing to release hostages unless Israel ends the war and withdraws from Gaza. The UN has warned of widespread hunger in Gaza due to a blockade imposed by Israel.