A series of Israeli airstrikes struck Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis overnight into Thursday, killing at least 54 people in what marks the second consecutive night of intense bombardment. Another strike in northern Gaza claimed over a dozen more lives, according to local authorities.
The escalation comes as U.S. President Donald Trump embarks on a regional tour of the Middle East, visiting several Gulf countries but not Israel. Hopes had circulated that his visit might lead to renewed ceasefire negotiations or humanitarian relief for Gaza, where an Israeli blockade has now persisted for three months.
An Associated Press cameraman recorded at least 10 separate strikes in Khan Younis and witnessed numerous bodies being brought to the morgue at Nasser Hospital. Due to the severity of the injuries, identifying the dead took significant time. The hospital confirmed that 54 individuals had been killed.
Among the deceased was journalist Hasan Samour of Al Araby TV, reportedly killed with 11 family members during the bombardment.
The Israeli military has not yet issued a statement regarding the strikes.
This follows Wednesday’s heavy bombardment, which killed at least 70 people across northern and southern Gaza, including nearly two dozen children. In northern Gaza’s Jabaliya area, a strike hit a complex that included a mosque and a medical clinic, killing 13, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense agency.
At Nasser Hospital, the aftermath of the strike was marked by grief and devastation. Safaa Al-Najjar, bloodied and inconsolable, received the shrouded bodies of her two youngest children — Motaz (1.5 years) and Moaz (1.5 months). Her five other children, aged 3 to 12, were injured, and her husband remained in intensive care.
“My day was normal. I fed them and put them to sleep. Then everything collapsed,” she cried. “What was their fault?”
Outside the hospital, the community gathered in mourning. Rows of white body bags were laid out before being transported for burial.
Israel Promises Further Escalation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his commitment to intensifying military operations in Gaza, aiming to destroy Hamas. He stated earlier this week that Israeli forces would soon move “with great strength” to complete their mission.
Human Rights Watch issued a statement Thursday warning that Israel’s stated intentions and military actions are “inching closer to extermination,” urging international intervention.
The war, which began after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel on October 7, 2023, has since claimed over 53,000 Palestinian lives—many of them women and children—according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Of these, nearly 3,000 have died since a ceasefire collapsed on March 18.
In the last 24 hours alone, hospitals in Gaza have received 82 bodies, including the 54 from Khan Younis, pushing the official death toll to 53,010 and the number of wounded to 119,998.
Hamas continues to hold 58 hostages from the October 7 attack, with 23 believed to be alive. Israeli authorities have expressed growing concern about their condition.
European Hospital in Gaza Ceases Operations
Israeli strikes have also incapacitated the European Hospital in Khan Younis—the only cancer treatment facility in Gaza—according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The hospital suffered severe infrastructure damage in two Israeli airstrikes, which reportedly targeted a Hamas command center beneath the facility.
Hospital director Imad al-Hout said that all 200 patients were gradually evacuated, with the last 90 transferred on Wednesday morning. The shutdown has also suspended cardiac surgeries and other critical treatments.
Aid Blockade Enters Third Month
On Thursday, Palestinians in northern Gaza gathered desperately in bombarded areas in search of food. At a charity kitchen in Beit Lahia, crowds queued for hours with empty containers, hoping for a meal of vegetable soup. Many, like Um Abed and her family of 20, left empty-handed for the second consecutive day.
“My 3-year-old cries all day from hunger,” she said, holding up her pot. “We want the war to stop and food to be allowed in.”
Israel’s ongoing blockade—now in its third month—has left 90% of Gaza’s population displaced, often repeatedly. Since March 2, Israel has halted all aid, including food and medicine, prompting warnings of imminent famine from international food security experts.
Nearly 500,000 Palestinians face starvation, with 1 million more experiencing severe food insecurity, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.
Despite this, Israeli spokesperson David Mencer denied a food shortage, blaming Hamas for withholding supplies. Human Rights Watch has called Israel’s actions, including destruction of civilian infrastructure and obstruction of aid, as warranting action under the Genocide Convention. They also urged Hamas to release remaining hostages.
Israel has consistently denied accusations of genocide.
