Israel Expands Gaza Offensive Amid Deadly Strikes on Civilians
Israel has intensified its military offensive in Gaza, with Defence Minister Israel Katz announcing plans to seize large areas of the Palestinian territory. The move comes amid heavy airstrikes and shelling, leading to significant civilian casualties and worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis. As Israeli ground forces push into central and eastern Rafah, there are growing fears of a large-scale military escalation.
According to local reports, an Israeli airstrike on a United Nations (UN) clinic in Jabalia killed at least 19 Palestinians, including nine children. The clinic, run by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), was being used as a shelter for displaced families. The Israeli military stated that it had targeted Hamas operatives who were using the location as a command-and-control center. However, eyewitness accounts and video footage verified by the BBC show the aftermath of the attack, with collapsed buildings and rescue workers rushing to aid victims.
Further Israeli airstrikes across Gaza have killed at least 20 more people, according to local hospitals. The Civil Defence reported that its teams recovered the bodies of 12 people, including women and children, from a destroyed home in Khan Younis. Among the victims was a three-month-old baby, a tragic reminder of the conflict’s toll on innocent civilians.
Israel's military actions have significantly altered Gaza's landscape, with expanded security zones cutting deep into Palestinian territory. Israeli Army Radio reported that tanks and ground troops have started advancing into new parts of Rafah, raising fears of a full-scale ground invasion. The military has also issued fresh evacuation orders, forcing an estimated 140,000 people to flee their homes.
Israel justifies its renewed offensive by citing Hamas’ rejection of a US-brokered ceasefire proposal. The latest escalation began on March 18, when Israel resumed military operations after accusing Hamas of refusing to release the remaining 59 hostages still held in Gaza. However, Hamas insists that Israel violated the terms of an earlier agreement reached in January.
The conflict traces back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly cross-border attack into Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 hostages. In response, Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas, leading to a prolonged and devastating war that has since claimed over 50,399 Palestinian lives, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The war’s humanitarian impact has been catastrophic. Since March 2, Israel has blocked aid shipments into Gaza, creating severe shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies. The United Nations recently announced a reduction in its operations after Israeli strikes killed eight Palestinian medics, six Civil Defence responders, and a UN staff member in southern Gaza.
International pressure on Israel has been mounting, with human rights organizations condemning the widespread destruction and loss of civilian lives. Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages continue to demand that the government prioritize negotiations for their loved ones' release over military expansion. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing relatives of those still in captivity, expressed shock and dismay over the latest developments, urging Israeli leaders to focus on securing the hostages’ return.
As Israel pushes deeper into Gaza, the war shows no signs of de-escalation. With thousands of displaced Palestinians seeking refuge amid relentless bombardment, the humanitarian situation remains dire. International mediators continue to seek a path toward ceasefire talks, but with both sides entrenched in their positions, a resolution seems increasingly elusive.