DEIR-AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Overnight Israeli airstrikes struck several homes in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 85 civilians, local health officials reported Thursday. These attacks, which occurred while victims were asleep, came shortly before Israel reimposed a blockade on northern Gaza, severely restricting movement for residents.
The military reinstated stringent travel restrictions, advising against the use of the main highway in the north and permitting only southern passages along the coastal road. Concurrently, Israel announced intensified ground operations near Beit Lahiya, a town already suffering from heavy previous strikes.
Following a fragile ceasefire in January, during which Gaza’s displaced population began returning home, Israel intensified its military operations on Tuesday leading to a breakdown of the truce. The resumed offensive was attributed to Hamas’s rejection of a revised ceasefire agreement, deterring the progress initially made that had included the release of over two dozen hostages in earlier negotiations.
Local and international reactions have varied. The U.S. administration expressed its full support for Israel’s actions following the cessation of the ceasefire. In contrast, no recent instances of aggression from Hamas have been reported during this period.
Adding to the tension, the Israeli Defense Forces intercepted a missile from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, before it could enter Israeli airspace. This defense activation occurred amidst other regional confrontations involving the U.S. and the Houthi factions.
One of the most devastating strikes hit the home of the Abu Daqa family in Abasan al-Kabira, killing 16 people, largely women and children. This strike targeted an area previously ordered to be evacuated by the Israeli military earlier in the week, illustrating the complexities and rapid changes in the conflict’s geography.
The renewed ground operations by Israeli forces were marked by significant maneuvers, including the seizure of the Netzarim corridor, which divides the northern and southern regions of Gaza. Israel has also curtailed the supply of essential resources like food and fuel to the Gazan population, asserting that these measures will continue until Hamas releases all hostages and demilitarizes.
In response, Hamas has stipulated the release of the hostages conditional upon a durable ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal, per the terms agreed upon in January facilitated by U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediation. Hamas remains firm in its stance against disarmament until a broader political resolution is realized, advocating for the transfer of power to a neutral or Western-backed Palestinian authority but not the cessation of armament.
The strike’s human toll was evident with the Gaza Health Ministry confirming the overnight death toll and cataloging a total casualty figure of 592 since the resumption of hostilities on Tuesday. Local healthcare facilities like the Indonesian Hospital were overwhelmed, having received numerous casualties from northern localities such as Beit Lahiya—an area that has experienced near-constant bombardment.
This ongoing conflict, which erupted 17 months ago following a Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel, has seen no sign of abating. Israeli counterattacks have resulted in substantial casualties and the displacement of a significant portion of Gaza’s population. While diplomatic efforts led to temporary reprieves, the pervasive destruction and loss of life underscore the urgent need for a sustained peaceful resolution to a conflict marked by profound human suffering and regional instability.