DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza — Early Friday marked another significant escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, as Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen people. The strikes occurred in tandem with the deployment of additional Israeli ground troops into Palestinian territories, intensifying the ongoing offensive.
In Khan Younis, a southern city in Gaza, at least 17 lives were lost due to an airstrike, including several members of the same family, as reported by hospital staff. Rescue efforts persisted for hours as people combed through the debris for survivors.
This incident followed a deadly Thursday when Israeli military actions claimed the lives of at least 100 Palestinians. The past two weeks have seen escalating casualties as Israel steps up its campaign, aiming to pressure Hamas into releasing remaining hostages from their October 2023 incursion into Israel. As of Friday, Israel began operations on the ground in northern Gaza to expand its security perimeter.
In preparation for ground operations, Israel’s military issued extensive evacuation orders for northern Gaza. The U.N. humanitarian office reported that around 280,000 Palestinians have been uprooted since hostilities resumed after a ceasefire with Hamas ended last month.
Israel has publicized intentions to seize substantial areas of the Palestinian region and pave the way for a new security corridor. In a bid to coerce Hamas, Israel has imposed a blockade lasting over a month, restricting food, fuel, and aid. This blockade has led to severe shortages, prompting condemnation from rights groups, which label such tactics as war crimes. Israel claimed earlier in the week that the supplies provided during a six-week truce were adequate for Gaza’s roughly 2 million inhabitants to endure for an extended period.
Hamas remains steadfast, stating that the release of the 59 hostages — with 24 believed to be alive — is contingent upon Israel freeing more Palestinian prisoners, establishing a lasting ceasefire, and withdrawing from Gaza. Hamas has refused demands to disarm or vacate the territory.
The predawn strike on Friday targeted a three-story building, leaving at least 16 survivors from the same family injured. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of bodies being wrapped in blankets, alongside frantic efforts to locate those trapped in the wreckage and recover charred remains.
“We are at a loss on how to collect and bury our dead. Identifying these remains is a daunting task,” commented Ismail Al-Aqqad, who lost his brother and his family in the assault.
Thursday’s strikes also saw over 30 bodies, including women and children, brought to Khan Younis’s hospitals, according to medical staff.
Elsewhere, Israel announced its forces struck a target in Sidon, Lebanon, eliminating Hassan Farhat, a senior Hamas commander. Accused of orchestrating attacks against Israel, including a fatal incident in February 2024, Farhat held command over the group’s western operations in Lebanon.
During Israel’s ongoing offensive, the buffer zone expansions led to the reoccupation of the eastern part of the Netzarim corridor, fragmenting northern and southern Gaza partially.
Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a U.S.-based entity, noted over 300 airstrikes in ten days at March’s end — nearly tenfold compared to February.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants infiltrated southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities, predominantly civilians, and 251 hostages taken. Most hostages have since been freed through ceasefire negotiations, while Israel has recovered additional bodies and rescued eight hostages alive.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 50,000 Palestinians have perished amid Israel’s assault. Although the ministry doesn’t specify combatant or civilian casualties, it indicates more than half were women and children. Israel counters, claiming around 20,000 militant deaths, though without providing evidence.
The tragic toll of the conflict has left Gaza largely in ruins, with at the peak, nearly 90% of its inhabitants displaced.