Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill over 70, including a newborn

Thursday 20 March 2025 - 08:40

By: Zahouani Ilham

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill over 70, including a newborn

Israel has intensified its bombardment of Gaza for a third consecutive day, resulting in the deaths of more than 70 people, including a newborn baby.

According to health officials in Gaza, at least 71 people were killed overnight and early Thursday in both northern and southern regions of the enclave. Numerous others were wounded in the strikes. Reports indicate that at least 20 people lost their lives in Khan Younis after Israeli forces targeted multiple homes in the area. In northern Gaza, a strike on a family residence in the as-Sultan neighborhood, west of Beit Lahiya, killed at least seven individuals.

Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from central Gaza, stated that Israeli attacks have escalated, particularly at dawn when at least 11 residential buildings were destroyed. "The death toll has surged to 71 Palestinians," he confirmed.

Among the victims were women and children, including a newborn. Abu Azzoum highlighted that Israel has adopted a strategy of striking buildings without prior warning to civilians sheltering inside.

UN Condemns Attacks

The escalation follows Israel's decision to end a nearly two-month ceasefire on Tuesday. Since then, more than 710 Palestinians have been killed, and 900 others wounded, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. Around 70% of the injured are women and children.

On Wednesday, an Israeli airstrike on a UN site in central Gaza killed a UN foreign staffer and wounded five others. The UN humanitarian aid chief, Tom Fletcher, called the attack "infuriating" and demanded accountability. "International law is clear—civilians, including humanitarian workers, must not be targeted," he stated.

The resumption of Israeli military operations has drawn global criticism, including from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who expressed outrage over the airstrikes. Israeli troops have also reoccupied the Netzarim Corridor, cutting off northern Gaza from the rest of the enclave, severely restricting movement.

Israeli Protests Against Renewed Attacks

While the conflict intensifies, protests have erupted in Israel. Thousands gathered in Jerusalem, condemning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for resuming military actions without ensuring the safety of Israeli captives still held in Gaza. Protesters accused the government of prioritizing military objectives over efforts to secure the release of hostages.