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Gaza death toll surpasses 25,000 as Israel intensifies offensive against Hamas
The death toll in Gaza has exceeded 25,000, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, as Israel escalates its offensive against the Palestinian territory.
The southern offensive and renewed bombardment in the north have further intensified the conflict.
Israel, determined to dismantle the Hamas command structure, especially in southern Gaza, aims to eliminate the Islamist militant group responsible for the deadliest attack in the country’s history.
Despite Israel’s earlier claim of dismantling the Hamas command in northern Gaza, recent witness reports suggest continued Israeli boat bombardments in Gaza City and other northern areas. Hamas has confirmed heavy combat in the north, with dozens reported trapped under rubble in Khan Yunis and Tal al-Hawa.
The Israeli army has declared the elimination of several terrorists in Khan Yunis and the killing of 15 militants in northern Gaza in the past day. Thick plumes of smoke were observed above Khan Yunis on Sunday morning.
The October 7 attacks by Hamas resulted in approximately 1,140 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. The ongoing Israeli bombardment and ground offensive have now claimed at least 25,105 lives in Gaza, with a majority being women and children, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry.
Militants seized around 250 hostages during the October attacks, with approximately 132 still believed to be in Gaza, and at least 27 captives reported dead. Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari disclosed that troops found a tunnel in Khan Yunis where hostages were previously held.
Evidence of their presence, including paintings, indicated that about 20 hostages had endured difficult conditions without daylight, limited oxygen, and high humidity. Soldiers entered the tunnel, engaging in a battle with militants and successfully eliminating them.
The pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the release of hostages and address security failings has intensified. Protesters across Israel have demanded the hostages’ release and early elections to oust Netanyahu, with concerns rising about the fate of the captives.
In addition to the Gaza conflict, violence has surged in the Israeli-occupied West Bank since October 7. The Israeli military demolished two houses in Hebron belonging to Palestinian gunmen responsible for an attack between Jerusalem and Bethlehem in November.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees reports approximately 1.7 million displaced people in Gaza, with one million crowded into the Rafah area. Urgent calls for better aid access are emphasized as the specters of famine and disease loom.
READ ALSO: UN decries 100 days of violence in Gaza, calls for respect for humanity
Diplomatic efforts are underway to secure scaled-up aid deliveries for Gaza and negotiate a truce. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s visit to Turkey signals renewed ties with a key regional power following the October attacks.
Rising tensions and violence across the Middle East raise concerns about a wider conflagration involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
Iranian media reported that an Israeli strike on Damascus killed the Revolutionary Guards’ spy chief and four other members, prompting a threat of retaliation.
The situation remains highly volatile, with the humanitarian crisis worsening in Gaza.
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