Israel attacks in Gaza leave more than 700 dead after ‘final warning’

After issuing a “final warning” to Hamas for hostage release, Israel released a series of air strikes that left at least 70 dead and dozens injured on Thursday (20). The offensive marks the end of the ceasefire signed in January and intensifies the war at the Palestinian enclave.

Since Tuesday (18), more than 700 Palestinians have died in Israeli bombings, according to the Ministry of Health of Gaza. According to the agency Reuters70% of the injured are women and children, many of them in serious condition due to lack of medical supplies.

Climbing of the conflict

With the breaking of the truce on Monday (17), when more than 400 Palestinians died, Israel intensified bombing and land raids. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks will continue “until all goals are achieved.”

Israel resumed land operations in Khan Youis and Rafah in southern Gaza and expanded control over the Netzarim corridor, a strategic point that divides the enclave. The Israeli forces claim that the maneuver seeks to create a “buffer zone” to contain Hamas operations.

Netanyahu justified the offensive by saying that attacks on Palestinian territory are “just the beginning.” “We will continue to eradicate Hamas and release all hostages,” he said.

The bombings hit several areas, including Khan Youis, Rafah, Gaza City and Beit Lahia. In the West Bank, Israel also carried out military operations in Jenin. Amid chaos, rescue teams struggle to remove survivors from the rubble, but the lack of resources makes the task even harder.

Humanitarian crisis

The destruction in Gaza is extensive, with whole neighborhoods reduced to rubble and thousands of homeless people. Hospitals face collapse due to the scarcity of medicines and equipment to treat injured. The closure of the border passages placed the region by the hunger.

In addition, many civilians are still arrested under the rubble due to the lack of rescue equipment. “This will add tragedy about tragedy,” said UN Human Rights Chief of Human Rights (UN), the High Commissioner Volker Turk in a statement. “Israel’s appeal to even more military force will only increase misery over a Palestinian population that already suffers catastrophic conditions.”

International reactions and diplomatic impasse

The international community condemns the escalation of the conflict, while Hamas accuses Israel of violating the ceasefire and conditions the release of new hostages to the total removal of the Israeli troops from Gaza.

Netanyahu, in turn, stressed that he will not retreat. “Israel, from now on, will act against Hamas with increasing military force,” said the prime minister. With the diplomatic impasse, the conflict follows without signs of truce, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region.

The war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023, after the Palestinian group launched an attack on Israeli territory, killing 1,200 people and kidnapped over 200. Since then, Israeli military offensive has left over 50,000 killed in the Gaza Strip.

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with information from agencies