Israel escalated its assault on Gaza by targeting a significant residential tower in Rafah, according to local residents. The 12-floor building, home to numerous families, sustained substantial damage, resulting in the displacement of many residents.
Although no casualties were reported, chaos ensued during the evacuation process, with residents forced to flee their homes amid warnings from Israel. This latest strike further exacerbates the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where thousands have been killed or injured, and many remain trapped under rubble.
The ongoing conflict, which began five months ago, has left nearly 31,000 Palestinians dead and over 72,500 wounded, while thousands more are still trapped in the rubble of destroyed buildings.
Gaza’s health ministry reported the deaths of three Palestinian children due to dehydration and malnutrition, bringing the total number of similar deaths to 23 in nearly 10 days.
The situation has prompted calls from humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross, for an immediate ceasefire to allow for the distribution of aid and the release of hostages.
Negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages appeared to stall, with Hamas delegates unlikely to return to Cairo for further talks. The lack of progress has been attributed to Israel’s refusal to provide guarantees or commitments to end the conflict or withdraw its forces from Gaza.
Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi estimated that the cost of rebuilding Gaza could exceed $90 billion, underscoring the scale of the devastation caused by the ongoing conflict.
Despite international calls for de-escalation, the Israeli military continued its operations in Gaza, conducting arrests, locating weapons, and targeting fighters.
The escalation in violence has resulted in a significant number of casualties, with at least 82 people reported killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip in the last day alone. The situation remains tense, with residents facing ongoing airstrikes and shelling in various parts of Gaza.
