DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza City (AP) — In a series of Israeli airstrikes overnight into Saturday, at least 23 Palestinians lost their lives, including three children and their parents whose tent was struck in Gaza City, according to health officials. This bombardment has intensified amid growing international concern regarding Israel's plans to control aid distribution in Gaza, which has been under blockade affecting over 2 million residents for three months.
The United Nations and various humanitarian organizations have voiced strong opposition to Israel's proposed aid distribution measures. These plans come from a group called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, composed of American security contractors, former military personnel, and humanitarian aid officials. However, this initiative has met with skepticism from the international community.
Among the deceased were a family of five, whose tent was hit in the Sabra district of Gaza City, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry. In another strike late Friday, an Israeli attack targeted a warehouse belonging to UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, in Jabaliya, resulting in four additional fatalities, according to the Indonesian Hospital where the bodies were brought.
Visuals from the Associated Press depicted fires engulfing the devastated warehouse, which had been previously empty after multiple Israeli operations against Hamas fighters. Residents noted the building had been subjected to raids during ongoing ground offensives. Israel's military reported that nine of its soldiers suffered minor injuries from an explosive device during operations in Gaza City's Shijaiyah neighborhood, necessitating their evacuation to a hospital in Israel.
The recent escalation began on March 18, 2025, when Israel resumed its bombardment, disrupting a two-month ceasefire with Hamas. Ground forces have since captured over half of Gaza, particularly conducting extensive operations in northern Gaza and the southern city of Rafah, leading to widespread destruction of infrastructure.
During this blockade, charity kitchens have become the primary source of food for residents, though many have recently closed due to dwindling supplies. Aid groups warn that further closures are imminent as the situation deteriorates. Israel contends that the blockade serves to compel Hamas to release hostages and disarm; however, human rights organizations have condemned the blockade as a “starvation tactic” and potential war crime.
While Israel accuses Hamas of extracting aid destined for civilians, it has not provided evidence to support these claims. The U.N. maintains that it effectively monitors distribution and does not observe significant diversion of resources.
This ongoing conflict, which has lasted 19 months, is reportedly the most devastating war ever waged between Israel and Hamas, resulting in over 52,800 fatalities, with more than half being women and children. Additionally, over 119,000 individuals have sustained injuries, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not specify civilian versus combatant casualties. Israel claims to have killed thousands of militants but has not substantiated these assertions.
Following the deadly attack on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people (mainly civilians) and kidnapped over 250, Israel has vowed to dismantle Hamas. Currently, Hamas is believed to still hold approximately 59 hostages, with around one-third thought to be alive.
On Saturday, Hamas released a video featuring hostages Elkana Bohbot and Yosef-Haim Ohana appearing under duress. These individuals were abducted from a music festival during the October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of over 300 people. The militant group has periodically released videos of Bohbot since the initial abduction.
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