Gaza’s death toll surpasses 50,000 as Israeli airstrikes intensify, including a devastating hospital attack
More than 50,000 Palestinians have now been killed in Israel’s military campaign against Gaza, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. The latest wave of Israeli airstrikes, including a devastating attack on a hospital, has only worsened the already catastrophic toll. The war, which erupted after Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, has now entered one of its bloodiest phases.
Israel initially launched its military offensive in response to the Hamas-led assault that left around 1,200 Israelis dead and resulted in 250 hostages being taken. Since then, most hostages have been released through negotiated exchanges, but 59 remain in Gaza, with only 24 confirmed alive before the latest escalation.
A hospital in Gaza became the epicentre of controversy after Israeli forces bombed the facility, claiming Hamas operatives were inside. Palestinian officials, however, insist that civilians were sheltering there when the attack occurred. The strike has fuelled global outrage, with critics calling it yet another example of Israel’s indiscriminate bombing campaign.
The staggering death toll is likely an undercount, as many bodies remain buried beneath the rubble. With food, medicine, and humanitarian aid severely restricted, those who survive are left in increasingly desperate conditions.
The near-total collapse of a fragile ceasefire just days ago has led to a dramatic escalation in hostilities. Israeli forces have launched renewed airstrikes and ground incursions, targeting Hamas strongholds but also devastating civilian infrastructure. The ceasefire, which lasted for nearly two months, provided a brief pause in the fighting, but negotiations to reinstate it have so far failed.
Despite mounting international pressure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signalled no intention of slowing down military operations. His government insists that the only way to ensure long-term security is by completely dismantling Hamas. Meanwhile, Arab mediators continue urgent diplomatic efforts to restore a ceasefire, but progress remains elusive.
The public backlash against Israel’s actions has intensified, with mass protests erupting across major cities worldwide. While some Western leaders continue to defend Israel’s right to self-defence, public opinion has shifted significantly, with many now accusing Israel of war crimes and ethnic cleansing.
Israel’s critics argue that the war is no longer about targeting Hamas but has turned into a full-scale annihilation of Gaza. The sheer scale of civilian casualties, coupled with the destruction of essential infrastructure, has made survival nearly impossible for the millions trapped in the besieged territory.
With no safe zones, no functional hospitals, and no way out, Gazans now face an increasingly bleak future. The ongoing war, which started as a retaliation against Hamas, has spiralled into one of the deadliest conflicts in modern Middle Eastern history. As airstrikes continue and diplomatic efforts falter, the death toll is expected to keep rising—with no end in sight.
