Overnight airstrikes hit the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis again, killing at least 54 people. This is the second night in a row that the city has been bombed heavily. An Associated Press cameraman counted 10 airstrikes and saw many bodies brought to Nasser Hospital. Some bodies were in pieces, and a few body bags held parts of more than one person. The hospital’s morgue confirmed the number of people killed.

A journalist from Qatari news channel Al Araby TV, Hasan Samour, was among those killed in the airstrikes on Khan Younis. The network said he died along with 11 members of his family. The Israeli military has not given any response yet about the strikes.This was the second night of intense bombing in Gaza. A day earlier, airstrikes in both the north and south killed at least 70 people, including nearly 20 children.

The recent airstrikes happened while U.S. President Donald Trump was visiting the Middle East. He is meeting leaders in the Gulf countries but not visiting Israel. Many had hoped his visit could help bring a ceasefire or more humanitarian aid to Gaza. But the Israeli blockade of Gaza has now continued for three months.

Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he plans to increase military action in Gaza. He stated that Israeli forces are just days away from entering Gaza with full force to destroy the Hamas group.
On Thursday, Human Rights Watch raised serious concerns. The group said Israel’s plan to take over Gaza and force many people to leave their homes is getting closer to “extermination.” They urged the world to take a stand and speak out against these actions.

About the war

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people. In response, Israel launched a major military operation in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, nearly 53,000 Palestinians have been killed so far, including many women and children. Since Israel ended a ceasefire on March 18, nearly 3,000 more people have died.

Hamas is still holding 58 of the roughly 250 hostages taken during the October 7 attack. Israel believes that only 23 of them are still alive, but is worried about the condition of at least three. Israel’s attacks have destroyed large parts of Gaza and forced 90% of its people to flee their homes, some more than once. Since March 2, Israel has blocked all aid, including food and medicine, from entering Gaza. Experts have warned that if this blockade continues, Gaza could soon face a severe famine.