At least 34 Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Saturday following a wave of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) airstrikes across the northern part of the territory, according to local health officials. The attacks, part of an ongoing military campaign in response to the Hamas-led assault on Israel earlier this month, have intensified in recent days, raising fears of a worsening humanitarian crisis.
The majority of the fatalities were reported in Gaza City, where multiple residential buildings were struck overnight. Civil defense teams struggled to reach the sites due to ongoing bombardment and fuel shortages. Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest medical facility, confirmed receiving dozens of injured, including women and children, many suffering from severe burns and shrapnel wounds.
With Israeli authorities issuing new evacuation orders for parts of Gaza City, medical staff at Al-Shifa are preparing for a possible full-scale evacuation. “We are in a state of emergency,” said Dr. Ahmed Al-Kahlout, a senior physician at the hospital. “We have no electricity, limited water, and dwindling medical supplies. If we are forced to move patients, many will not survive the transfer.”
The IDF stated that the strikes targeted “key Hamas infrastructure,” including command centers and weapons storage facilities, but acknowledged the possibility of civilian casualties. “We are doing everything possible to minimize harm to non-combatants, but Hamas uses civilian areas to launch attacks,” said IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. David Agmon.
Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations have sounded the alarm over the deteriorating conditions in Gaza. The United Nations reports that over one million people have been displaced, and access to food, clean water, and medical care is rapidly diminishing. “This is a catastrophe unfolding in real time,” said Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General. “The international community must act immediately to protect civilians and allow unfettered humanitarian access.”
As the conflict enters its third week, diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire have stalled. Egypt and Qatar are mediating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, but no breakthrough has been announced. With no end in sight, residents of Gaza brace for further hardship, while medical workers race against time to save lives amid collapsing infrastructure.
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