Israeli Strikes Kill 23 Palestinians Amid Gaza Aid Blockade

Israeli airstrikes and military operations in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 23 Palestinians, including multiple women and children, with strikes targeting densely populated areas such as refugee camps, marketplaces, and tents sheltering displaced families. These attacks have exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis characterized by severe shortages of food, medicine, and emergency shelter due to Israel's blockade of Gaza, which has lasted over ten weeks. The blockade and ongoing bombardments have crippled Gaza’s healthcare system and food distribution, with many charity kitchens shutting down and international aid efforts being obstructed or controlled by Israel, sparking criticism from aid groups and the UN. Israeli forces have seized more than half of Gaza's territory, conducting raids and searches particularly in northern Gaza and Rafah, while sustaining some casualties themselves. The conflict, which escalated after the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel, has resulted in over 52,000 Palestinian deaths and numerous injuries, with a significant portion being civilians, amid continued hostilities and no current ceasefire. International calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian access continue to grow, alongside diplomatic efforts by countries like Germany, even as the situation remains volatile and devastating for Gaza's civilian population.