Gaza Conflict Updates

Recent Escalation in Gaza: At Least 12 Killed in Israeli Strikes

Gaza City Under Fire

GAZA CITY: Gaza’s civil defence agency reported at least 12 people killed today in Israeli strikes across the Palestinian territory, where the war triggered by Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel entered its 19th month.

Latest Strikes and Casualties

The latest strikes, part of renewed military operations after a two-month truce, come with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump later today, where the ongoing fighting is set to be on the agenda.

Air Strike on Journalists’ Tent

An air strike hit a tent used by journalists in a makeshift displacement camp in the southern Gaza Strip, killing two people, said civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal.

Journalist Killed in the Attack

The Hamas government media office said journalist Hilmi al-Faqaawi, who worked for a local news agency, was killed in the attack in the city of Khan Younis.

Wounded Journalists

Bassal said that nine others, all journalists, were wounded.

Multiple Strikes Across Gaza

In central Gaza, Bassal said an Israeli air strike hit three houses in Deir el-Balah city and killed at least seven people.

Rescue Efforts Underway

"Some people remain trapped beneath the rubble," the spokesman said.

Evacuation Order Issued

Deir el-Balah was the subject of an Israeli evacuation order late Sunday, warning residents of imminent attacks in response to a rocket salvo that the military said was fired from the area.

Further Strikes and Shelling

Further north, Bassal said a strike hit "a group of civilians" in Gaza City’s Zeitun neighbourhood, killing three people.

Artillery Shelling and Home Demolitions

The civil defence spokesman said there was also ongoing artillery shelling across Gaza and home demolitions in Rafah, on the territory’s southern border with Egypt.

Netanyahu’s Visit to Washington

Ahead of his Washington visit, Netanyahu said that discussions with Trump would address the Gaza war and efforts to secure the release of hostages seized during Hamas’s Oct 7, 2023 attack and still held in the territory.

Failed Truce Efforts

Israel resumed intense strikes on Gaza on March 18, and the weeks-long ceasefire with Hamas that the US, Egypt and Qatar had brokered collapsed.

Death Toll Rises

According to the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, at least 1,391 Palestinians have been killed in the renewed Israeli operations, taking the overall death toll since the start of the war to 50,752.

Previous Attack and Casualties

Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Conclusion

The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, with the latest strikes resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people. The international community remains engaged in efforts to broker a lasting peace, but progress has been slow. The situation on the ground remains dire, with ongoing artillery shelling and home demolitions affecting civilians.

FAQs

• Q: How many people have been killed in the renewed Israeli operations in Gaza?
  A: At least 1,391 Palestinians have been killed, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
• Q: What is the overall death toll since the start of the war?
  A: The overall death toll since the start of the war is 50,752, including 1,218 people killed in Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel.
• Q: What is the current status of the ceasefire negotiations?
  A: Efforts to restore the truce have so far failed, and the situation remains volatile.
• Q: What is the current situation in Gaza City?
  A: The city is under fire, with ongoing artillery shelling and home demolitions affecting civilians.