In a chilling escalation of the ongoing Gaza conflict, Israel has launched major ground operations in both the northern and southern parts of the territory, leaving devastation in its wake. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 130 Palestinians were killed overnight in a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes, adding to a week-long death toll of 464.
The Israeli military said these operations aim to achieve “operational control” over strategic areas in Gaza, supporting a new campaign dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots.” This comes after more than 670 Hamas targets were bombed in recent days. Israel claims the strikes eliminated dozens of Hamas fighters, but civilian casualties continue to rise.
One of the deadliest attacks struck a tent encampment in Khan Younis, home to displaced families. The airstrike ignited tents, killing multiple women and children, and leaving dozens wounded. “Complete families were wiped from Gaza’s civil registry overnight,” said Health Ministry spokesperson Khalil Al-Deqran. Photos from the site show a scorched landscape and people digging through rubble in despair.
Meanwhile, indirect ceasefire talks mediated in Qatar have stalled. Despite pressure from both sides, no breakthrough has been achieved. Israel reportedly offered terms involving a truce and the demilitarization of Gaza in exchange for Hamas leaders’ exile — a proposal Hamas has consistently rejected.
A senior Israeli official admitted no progress had been made, although Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir hinted at the possibility of scaling back operations if a hostage deal is reached. “We are giving our political leaders the room they need,” Zamir told troops on the ground.
However, Hamas maintains that any deal must include the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the lifting of the aid blockade, and the release of Palestinian prisoners. “Israel still wants its hostages without ending the war,” a Hamas representative told Reuters.
The situation inside Gaza is becoming increasingly dire. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and Gaza’s health system is on the brink of collapse. The Indonesian Hospital — one of the few still partially functional — was forced to cease operations due to continued shelling nearby.
Fuel shortages have crippled the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service, which warns that 75% of its ambulances are no longer operational. “If no fuel arrives, our entire emergency fleet will stop within 72 hours,” a spokesperson said.
International aid agencies continue to warn of famine in the region, especially with medical and food supplies blocked by Israel since March. Israel accuses Hamas of diverting aid, an allegation the group denies.
In Israel, frustration is also growing. Families of hostages are pleading for action. “The government is tormenting us with partial deals,” said Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is among the 58 Israeli hostages still held. “Bring our children home. All of them.”
As violence escalates and diplomacy stalls, Gaza teeters on the edge of collapse. The question remains: how much more can the region endure?
