Israeli air raids across Gaza have claimed dozens of lives since early Wednesday, deepening the humanitarian tragedy that has gripped the enclave for nearly two years. According to Gaza health officials, at least 33 people were killed this morning, while more than 100 Palestinians, including journalists and families seeking aid, lost their lives on Tuesday after residential areas, shelters, and neighbourhoods were struck.
At Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, families mourned the deaths of Mohammed Ahmad, his wife Shayma, and their two daughters, Sara and Tala, who were among the latest victims. Officials say the overall death toll has surpassed 64,000 Palestinians since October 2023, while more than 1,200 Israelis have been killed in the ongoing conflict that followed Hamas’s cross-border attack.
The devastation has sparked strong reactions around the world. In the United Kingdom, cosmetics retailer Lush shut down all its shops, factories, and online sales for one day in solidarity with Palestinians, displaying the message: “Stop Starving Gaza – We Are Closed in Solidarity.” The company urged the UK government to take stronger action, including halting arms sales to Israel.
Meanwhile, international sports debates continue. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said he was personally shaken by civilian suffering but rejected calls to ban Israeli athletes from European competitions, arguing that athletes should not be punished for government actions.
Regional diplomacy also remains tense. The United Arab Emirates warned Israel that expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank would cross a “red line,” undermining the spirit of the Abraham Accords that normalised relations. In Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, survivors described schools-turned-shelters engulfed in flames after Israeli forces dropped grenades, leaving families with no safe refuge.
Protests have also intensified inside Israel. Demonstrators in Jerusalem scaled the roof of the National Library with banners accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of abandoning hostages still held in Gaza. Others blocked access roads near the Knesset and set fires outside the prime minister’s residence, demanding an end to the war.
Beyond Israel and Gaza, the conflict is spilling into the wider region. Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for a missile strike on Israel, calling it a response to recent Israeli raids in Sanaa that killed senior leaders, including the group’s prime minister. The Houthis pledged more attacks in the coming days, further raising fears of a regional escalation.
For many Palestinians, exhaustion and displacement have become unbearable. Analysts say repeated evacuations, starvation, and the systematic targeting of so-called “safe zones” have left thousands with nowhere to flee. Despite evacuation orders, large numbers of families remain in Gaza City, saying they have no choice but to stay amid what observers describe as a war without end.
Summary: Israeli strikes continue to devastate Gaza, killing civilians and aid seekers, as regional protests, political warnings, and international solidarity actions unfold. The conflict shows no sign of resolution, with the humanitarian crisis worsening by the day.
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