The Gaza health ministry reported that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli military offensive has surged to at least 41,595 Palestinians, with over 96,251 others injured since the conflict escalated on October 7.
On Sunday, fresh airstrikes across various regions of the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of at least 11 more Palestinians. Among the targeted locations was a school in Beit Lahiya, which was serving as a shelter for displaced civilians; the attack resulted in four fatalities and multiple injuries, according to local health officials.
The Israeli military claimed that its strikes targeted Hamas militants operating from a command center located within the compound of a former school, accusing the militant group of using civilian infrastructure for military operations—a claim that Hamas has denied.
In additional airstrikes, three individuals lost their lives in a residential home in Gaza City, while four others were killed in various strikes across Nuseirat and Khan Younis. Israeli forces also engaged in operations in Rafah, close to the Egyptian border, as well as in the Zeitoun suburb of Gaza City, where they reportedly destroyed several houses.
As the conflict persists, the Israeli military stated that it is conducting a “multi-front war” aimed at rescuing Israeli and foreign hostages and dismantling Hamas. They reported the discovery and demolition of a 1-kilometer underground tunnel near civilian areas in central Gaza, which they allege was utilized by Hamas for extended periods.
Despite the ongoing violence in Gaza, military actions have reportedly decreased over the past week, as Israel intensified its offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, notably resulting in the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike on Friday.
The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents displaced by the conflict. The ongoing violence erupted after Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of around 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports.
(With inputs from Reuters)