Israel launches heavy strikes across central and southern Gaza after widening its offensive

Israel has launched heavy airstrikes in central and southern Gaza as part of its broader offensive against Hamas. The Israeli military has expanded its operations to areas where Palestinians were previously instructed to seek shelter, intensifying the conflict.

Residents in Gaza have reported heavy bombing in densely populated areas, including the Bureij refugee camp, Khan Younis, and Rafah. Tens of thousands of people have sought refuge in these areas as much of northern Gaza has been heavily damaged.

A significant portion of Gaza’s population, approximately 85%, has been displaced from their homes due to the ongoing conflict. This has led to overcrowding and difficult living conditions for many Palestinians in the region.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire. A quarter of the territory’s population is facing starvation due to Israel’s blockade, which restricts the flow of essential supplies like food, water, fuel, and medicine. Despite international calls to speed up aid deliveries, the situation remains challenging.

The U.S. has called on Israel to minimize civilian casualties, and there has been international pressure for a cease-fire. However, these efforts have had limited impact on the ground, and the conflict continues.

Efforts are underway by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt to secure the release of hostages in Gaza. However, Hamas has stated that no more hostages will be released until Israel ends the war, and they seek the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange. Negotiations are ongoing.

Egypt has put forward a proposal that includes the release of all hostages held in Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and the establishment of a government of Palestinian technocrats to govern Gaza and the West Bank. While the proposal has not been outright rejected, it has not received a warm response from both sides.