In a tragic escalation of violence, at least 103 individuals have been reported dead following intense Israeli airstrikes on Gaza during the night and into Sunday, as confirmed by local hospitals and medical personnel. This surge in military action comes as Israel aims to intensify pressure on Hamas, the governing entity in Gaza, while simultaneously attempting to seize territory, displace Palestinians to the southern regions, and gain more control over the distribution of humanitarian aid.

This latest military offensive coincides with ongoing ceasefire discussions taking place in Qatar, where Israeli officials have indicated that negotiations involve not only the prospect of ending hostilities but also potential agreements surrounding a truce and the release of hostages.

A spokesperson from the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza addressed the devastating impact of the airstrikes, stating that “complete families were wiped off the civil registration record by Israeli bombardment.” The situation is dire, especially after the airstrikes forced the closure of the Indonesian Hospital, which serves as the primary medical facility for those in northern Gaza.

Over the past week alone, the health ministry reports that 464 people have lost their lives due to Israeli military operations. Specifically, in Khan Younis, a southern city, the Nasser Hospital reported that more than 48 individuals—predominantly women and children—were killed, including those who had sought shelter in makeshift tents meant for displaced persons.

Further tragedies unfolded in Deir al Balah, where at least 12 individuals perished across three distinct airstrikes, as reported by both the Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital and the Awda Hospital located in the Nuseirat camp. In Jabalia, another northern area of Gaza, the health ministry recorded an additional 19 fatalities resulting from multiple strikes.

The Israeli military has yet to provide a direct comment regarding these latest airstrikes. However, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that any sustainable ceasefire must involve the demilitarization of Gaza and the exile of Hamas militants. Despite these claims, a senior Israeli official noted that the discussions in Qatar’s capital, Doha, have not made significant headway.

Sky News Arabia has reported that Hamas has proposed releasing approximately half of its Israeli hostages in exchange for a two-month ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. A Palestinian official closely associated with the negotiations remarked, “Hamas is flexible about the number of hostages it can free, but the problem has always been over Israel’s commitment to end the war.”

Additionally, the conflict has claimed the lives of four Palestinian journalists following Israeli airstrikes. Abdel Rahman al Abadleh was missing for two days before his body was recovered in the southern Gaza town of al Qarara. Similarly, three other journalists, Aziz al Hajjar, along with his wife and children, lost their lives in the Bir al Naaja neighborhood of northern Gaza. In Khan Younis, Ahmed al Zenati and his family, including his wife Noor al Madhoun and their children, Mohammad and Khaled, were also among the victims. In Deir al Balah, Nour Qandil, her husband Khaled Abu Seif, and their young daughter were killed in the strikes as well.

Israel has imposed a blockade on the entry of medical supplies, food, and fuel into Gaza since early March, aiming to pressure Hamas to release Israeli hostages. Furthermore, Israeli officials have discussed plans that could lead to an extensive seizure of Gaza and control over aid distribution. On Sunday, Gaza’s health ministry condemned Israel’s actions, stating that it has “intensified its systematic campaign to target hospitals.” This assertion follows the earlier targeting of the European Gaza Hospital, which had been put out of service, and now, intensified strikes on the Indonesian Hospital have been reported.

Israel has consistently denied allegations of deliberately targeting civilians, frequently accusing Hamas of misusing hospitals for military operations. Earlier in the week, Israel claimed it targeted the European Hospital due to the presence of an underground Hamas base, a claim that has been met with skepticism, as independent analyses question the validity of the evidence provided.

In a separate development, the Israeli military disclosed that it had successfully intercepted a missile launched from Yemen towards Israel. The Iran-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, citing their actions as a response to the ongoing plight of Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes, including one that occurred on May 6, which resulted in damage to Yemen’s main airport in Sanaa and casualties among civilians.

The conflict in Gaza, which erupted on October 7, 2023, was triggered by a surprise attack from Hamas-led militants that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people in southern Israel and the abduction of 251 individuals. The subsequent military response from Israel has led to an unprecedented death toll in Gaza, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting over 53,000 fatalities, a figure that does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.