Israeli Strikes Kill 44 Civilians Across Gaza Amid Military Offensive

Israeli airstrikes across Gaza killed at least 44 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's civil defence agency. Fatalities included those from strikes on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza City, a house in Deir el-Balah, a gas station near the Nuseirat refugee camp, and a home in Jabalia refugee camp. These strikes come amid an intensified Israeli military offensive aiming to defeat Hamas, which escalated after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. Since March 18, when Israel resumed strikes, over 3,340 Palestinians have been killed, with the total death toll of the conflict reaching over 53,000. Israel has not commented on the specific strikes but states it takes steps to minimize civilian casualties and blames Hamas for embedding itself within civilian infrastructure. The Israeli military also called up tens of thousands of reservists and launched ground operations as part of plans to gain control over Gaza.