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Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across northern and southern Gaza on Friday, killing at least 108 people, most of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The Israeli military described the bombardment as a prelude to an intensified campaign aimed at compelling Hamas to release hostages.
The Israeli military also carried out strikes on two ports in Yemen, alleging they were being used by the Houthi militant group for arms transfers, news agency AP reported. While the attacks on Gaza reportedly killed 31 children and 27 women, there were no immediate reports of casualties in Yemen, though the Houthi-run satellite channel acknowledged the strikes, as per AP’s report.
The escalation came as US President Donald Trump concluded a Middle East visit, which included stops in three Gulf nations but not Israel. The trip had raised hopes of a possible ceasefire or renewed humanitarian access to Gaza — now entering its third month under an Israeli blockade — but no breakthrough was announced.
Speaking to reporters in Abu Dhabi on the final day of his trip, Trump said, “We’re looking at Gaza. And we’ve got to get that taken care of. A lot of people are starving. A lot of people are — there’s a lot of bad things going on.”
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that hundreds more were wounded in the latest round of Israeli attacks. In the south, strikes targeted the outskirts of Deir al-Balah and the city of Khan Younis, where the Israeli military claimed to have hit anti-tank missile positions and military facilities.
In the north, air raids prompted residents to flee from the Jabaliya refugee camp and the town of Beit Lahiya. Israel said it had eliminated several militants operating from an observation compound. Witnesses saw dark smoke billowing over Jabaliya as people escaped on donkey carts, by car, and on foot, AP’s report stated.
“We got out of the house with difficulty, killing and death, we did not take anything,” said Feisal Al-Attar, who was displaced from Beit Lahiya, as quoted by the report.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after meeting with top military commanders, said, “There will be more to come.”
Humanitarian Crisis Continues To Deepen In Gaza
The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen in Gaza. On Friday, dozens of Palestinians queued for food at a charity kitchen in Khan Younis, as the enclave marked nearly three months under a full blockade. Scenes turned chaotic as children cried for food and people surged forward, forcing kitchen workers to physically restrain the crowd while some were attacked amid the desperation, the report stated.
Israel has justified the blockade — which blocks all food, fuel, medicine, and supplies — as a means to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. However, the consequences have been devastating.
“Our only hope was that Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East would result in solutions and somehow open crossings to bring in humanitarian assistance as soon as possible into the Gaza Strip, but the visit is almost over and not a drop of water or bread entered Gaza,” said Saqer Jamal, a displaced man from Rafah, as quoted by AP.
Earlier this week, a new US-backed group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, announced plans to begin delivering aid before the end of the month, following what it described as key agreements with Israeli officials. The group, comprising US military veterans, former humanitarian coordinators, and security contractors, is set to lead the aid operation.
However, the United Nations and other humanitarian organisations have criticised the initiative, arguing that it does not adhere to humanitarian principles and would fall short of meeting the needs of Gaza’s population. Many have declined to participate in the programme.
