The number of civilians killed in the latest Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip has risen to 356, the Gaza Health Ministry said. The strikes came suddenly, while most residents were asleep, adding to the toll.
Gaza has come under renewed intense bombardment, sending people fleeing in panic, with many trapped under rubble.
The attacks come after a fragile ceasefire that has seen more than 150 Palestinians killed in the past two months. But Gazans were not expecting such a brutal crackdown during the holy month of Ramadan.
Reports from the ground say most of the dead are women, children and the elderly, with entire families wiped out in some cases.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have tightened their blockade of Gaza, preventing medical evacuations through the Rafah border crossing, further hampering rescue efforts and medical assistance to the injured.
Trump administration more openly supports Israel
The US response to these attacks once again demonstrates a clear and unquestioned alliance with Israel. While both the Trump and Biden administrations have claimed to strongly support Israel, Biden has in the past sought to at least formally pressure Netanyahu to try to minimize civilian casualties. During his administration, the Israeli military has occasionally used leaflets to warn civilians before bombing.
However, after the latest attack, such warnings have not been issued. Trump, who had previously stated that he did not care if Netanyahu started a war again, has further intensified his rhetoric of support for Israel, claiming that Gaza is no longer habitable and suggesting that Palestinians should leave the territory.
In a statement, the Palestinian Authority in Gaza condemned the attacks, calling them “brutal massacres” that confirm that “the Israeli occupation knows only the language of killing, destruction and genocide.”
They called on the international community to respond urgently and prevent further civilian suffering, Klix.ba writes.
