Deir al-Balah, May 18: Israel launched new ground operations in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 103 people, including dozens of children, overnight and into Sunday. Airstrikes killed over 48 people in and around the Palestinian territory’s southern city of Khan Younis, some hitting houses and tents sheltering displaced people.
Israel blames civilian casualties on Hamas because the militant group operates from civilian areas. The offensive aims to seize territory, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to Gaza’s south and taking greater control of aid distribution.
An Israeli blockade on food, medicine, and other supplies is now in its third month, with global food security experts warning of famine across the territory of more than 2 million people. Israel has said it is pressuring Hamas to agree to a temporary ceasefire on Israel’s terms, which would free Israeli hostages held in Gaza, but wouldn’t necessarily end the war.
Hamas wants a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and a pathway to ending the war as part of any new ceasefire deal.
Israel shattered a previous eight-week ceasefire in March, launching airstrikes that killed hundreds of people. Days before that, Israel halted all imports into Gaza, deepening the humanitarian crisis.
Israel has repeatedly targeted hospitals in the war, accusing Hamas of being active in and around the facilities. (AP)
