Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the West Bank have intensified, resulting in a significant number of Palestinian casualties. In Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, at least 70 Palestinians were killed and over 200 injured in a single day of attacks, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. The Israeli military had warned of an ‘intense phase’ of operations in the area.In the West Bank, a drone strike on the Tulkarm refugee camp killed five Palestinians, including three militant fighters and two civilians identified as a mother and her daughter who were volunteer paramedics. The Israeli army confirmed striking ‘armed terrorists’ in the city, leading to clashes between soldiers and armed residents.The ongoing conflict has led to a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, at least 39,172 Palestinians, including 16,172 children and 10,798 women, have been killed, with 89,818 others injured. Many remain trapped under rubble, and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and educational institutions, has been severely damaged.Despite international criticism, including from the United States, over the high civilian death toll, the Israeli government maintains its stance on continuing the war until its objectives are met. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern, stating that ‘casualties among Palestinian civilians still remain unacceptably high’.Diplomatic efforts continue amid the violence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with US President Joe Biden in Washington to discuss the ongoing conflict. The US, along with Egypt and Qatar, is pushing for a deal that would include a ceasefire and the release of hostages.The conflict has also had regional implications, with the opening of fronts against Israel by Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both allies of Hamas and Iran.
Key points
- Israeli military operations in Khan Yunis, Gaza, resulted in at least 70 Palestinian deaths and over 200 injuries in a single day.
- A drone strike on the Tulkarm refugee camp in the West Bank killed five Palestinians, including three militants and two civilian paramedics.
- The ongoing conflict has caused a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with over 39,000 Palestinian deaths since October 7, 2023.
- Diplomatic efforts continue, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu set to meet US President Biden amid international criticism of the high civilian death toll.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of casualties in Khan Yunis, with some sources reporting 70 deaths and others reporting 77.
👾The exact nature of the civilians killed in the Tulkarm refugee camp attack is reported differently, with some sources specifying a mother and daughter who were volunteer paramedics, while others provide less specific details.
