Gaza: Israel officially designated Gaza’s largest city as a combat zone on Friday and recovered the bodies of two hostages, marking the beginning of a new phase in its military campaign, which has faced sharp criticism from the international community.
As fighting resumed, Gaza’s health ministry reported the death toll had risen to 63,025, with 59 more fatalities in the last 24 hours. Despite the renewed military activity, aid groups and religious institutions sheltering civilians in Gaza City said they would not evacuate, standing firm in their commitment to support those still facing hunger and displacement.
This development comes after weeks of Israeli plans to expand operations in Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands of civilians are taking refuge amid widespread famine. The Israeli military has escalated airstrikes on the outskirts of the city in recent days.
Heavy smoke and loud explosions were visible from southern Israel on Friday morning, underscoring the intensifying military campaign. Israeli authorities claim Gaza City remains a stronghold for Hamas and allege that underground tunnels continue to be used, despite previous raids during the nearly 23-month-long conflict.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel must dismantle Hamas’ presence in Gaza City to prevent future attacks like the one on October 7, 2023, which sparked the war.
Though the United Nations and aid organizations have condemned the offensive, residents say the violence has been constant.
“The massacres never stopped, even during the so-called humanitarian pauses,” said local resident Mohamed Aboul Hadi in a message from Gaza City.
Meanwhile, displaced families have started setting up makeshift tents in central Gaza, near the Nuseirat refugee camp, citing dire living conditions.
“We are thrown out like animals — no, worse than animals,” said Mohammed Maarouf, who is sheltering with his family of nine.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas but is staffed by medical professionals, over 63,000 people have been killed since the war began. The toll includes 322 deaths due to malnutrition, with 121 of them children. While Israel disputes the figures, it has not released its own count, and the UN continues to regard the ministry’s data as the most reliable available.
