Gaza War Death Toll Crosses 50,000 as Israel Resumes Attacks After Ceasefire Ends
The war in Gaza has taken a devastating toll, with over 50,000 Palestinians killed, according to health officials in Gaza. This follows a resumption of Israeli airstrikes and ground attacks after a brief ceasefire collapsed last week.
Israel launched a wave of powerful strikes across Gaza, targeting areas it says are linked to Hamas militants. The Israeli military has also sent tanks into parts of southern Gaza, leading to mass displacement of civilians once again.
Deadly Strikes Overnight in Southern Gaza
On Sunday, Israeli airstrikes across the southern Gaza Strip killed at least 26 Palestinians, including women, children, and a senior Hamas political leader. Salah Bardawil, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, was among those killed in a strike in Muwasi, along with his wife.
Israeli tanks also moved into Tel al-Sultan, a neighbourhood in the city of Rafah. The army ordered residents to evacuate as gunfire and explosions shook the area. People were seen carrying their belongings, fleeing on foot.
“This is displacement under fire,” said journalist Mustafa Gaber, who was forced to flee with his family.
Israel Confirms Hospital Strike in Khan Younis
Later that day, an Israeli airstrike hit a hospital in Khan Younis, killing at least one person and injuring several others. The attack caused a fire in the hospital’s surgical building, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating that it was targeting a Hamas militant who was using the hospital as a base. An American doctor inside the hospital told CBS News that the building was on fire, and hospital services had come to a halt.
Sources said Ismail Barhoum, a political figure from Hamas, was the target of the hospital strike.
Gaza Health Ministry Reports Over 50,000 Deaths
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, 50,021 people have died since the war began, and over 113,000 have been wounded. These numbers include 673 killed just since Tuesday when Israel resumed bombing after ending the ceasefire.
The ministry says that more than half of those killed are women and children. However, Israel claims it has killed around 20,000 Hamas fighters, although it has not provided clear evidence.
Israel Plans to Push for “Voluntary Departure” of Palestinians
In a controversial move, Israel’s Cabinet approved a new plan to encourage Palestinians to leave Gaza voluntarily. The plan is part of a larger vision supported by President Trump, which includes depopulating Gaza and rebuilding it under new leadership.
Rights groups have condemned this plan, calling it a possible violation of international law and likening it to forced expulsion.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the new department would handle the movement of people “by land, sea, and air” to other countries, while claiming it would follow Israeli and international laws.
Ceasefire Collapse and Hostage Deal Breakdown
The recent ceasefire, which had begun in January, was the first pause in fighting after 15 months of violence that started with the Hamas-led terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. That attack killed around 1,200 Israelis, and militants took 251 hostages.
While many hostages were freed during earlier ceasefires, talks for releasing the remaining 59 stalled. Israel pulled out of the ceasefire after Hamas refused new proposals backed by the U.S. and Israel, demanding more prisoner releases before agreeing to peace talks.
Israel had warned that “complete destruction” of Gaza would follow if Hamas didn’t cooperate, and it appears that these new strikes are part of that warning being carried out.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to grow, with thousands dead and many more injured. With no clear progress in peace talks, and Israel’s military campaign intensifying, the future looks bleak for civilians trapped in the conflict.
Rights groups and international leaders are urging both sides to return to negotiations to avoid further bloodshed.