Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Kill 70, Including 22 Children/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ At least 70 Palestinians, including 22 children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Wednesday, according to health officials. The strikes followed Netanyahu’s vow to escalate the offensive, despite growing international calls for a ceasefire. A strike on the European Hospital in Khan Younis severely damaged infrastructure and forced partial shutdown of services.
Gaza Under Fire Quick Looks
- Israeli airstrikes kill at least 70, including 22 children
- Jabaliya suffers heavy toll; 50 killed in northern Gaza
- European Hospital in Khan Younis partially shuts after strike
- Netanyahu promises escalation until Hamas is “destroyed”
- Nearly 53,000 Palestinians killed since war began
- Macron slams Israeli blockade, calls it “a disgrace”
- U.N.: Gaza charity kitchens down 60% due to supply cuts
- Israel says Sinwar’s brother was target in hospital strike
- Aid groups warn famine imminent without immediate relief
- WHO: only enough treatment left for 500 malnourished children
Deep Look: Israeli Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Gaza, Macron Denounces Blockade as Crisis Deepens
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli warplanes launched a devastating wave of strikes across Gaza on Wednesday, killing at least 70 people, including 22 children, in what local health officials described as one of the deadliest single-day attacks in recent weeks. The airstrikes came just a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out a ceasefire, stating the offensive would continue until Hamas is eliminated.
In Jabaliya, northern Gaza, more than 50 people were killed in a single neighborhood, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Rescue workers, often using only hand tools and cellphone flashlights, pulled bodies from beneath collapsed buildings.
Gaza Hospitals Targeted, European Hospital Damaged
In southern Khan Younis, a strike on the European Hospital—where Israel claimed a Hamas “command and control center” operated underground—crippled the facility’s water and sewage systems and forced the suspension of surgeries.
Dr. Marwan al-Hams, Gaza’s director of field hospitals, said the hospital was nearly paralyzed: “Until these damages are fixed, we will have to shut down most departments.” Israeli forces also reportedly struck a bulldozer brought in to clear rubble and allow ambulances to reach the hospital.
Though Israeli officials would not confirm, reports suggest the primary target may have been Mohammed Sinwar, brother of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israel last year. Mohammed is believed to now be Hamas’ top military commander in Gaza.
No Ceasefire in Sight as Trump Tours Region
Despite mounting international pressure and President Donald Trump’s current visit to the Gulf, Netanyahu’s office made clear Israel has no intention of backing down.
“We will enter Gaza with great strength,” Netanyahu stated, repeating his vow to “complete the mission” of dismantling Hamas. Hopes that Trump’s trip might revive ceasefire negotiations have quickly dimmed.
The war, which began with Hamas’ 2023 cross-border raid that killed 1,200 Israelis, has now claimed over 52,928 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Nearly 3,000 of those deaths have occurred since March 18, when a fragile truce collapsed.
Macron: “What Israel Is Doing Is a Disgrace”
French President Emmanuel Macron delivered one of the most scathing rebukes yet of Israel’s blockade, calling it “a disgrace” on national TV Tuesday evening.
“There’s no medicine. We can’t get the wounded out. Doctors can’t get in,” Macron said, calling for the immediate reopening of Gaza’s borders for humanitarian aid.
Macron also reiterated that “yes, we must demilitarize Hamas, free the hostages and build a political solution,” but condemned Israel’s siege tactics as catastrophic.
Netanyahu responded by accusing Macron of “echoing extremist propaganda.”
Aid Blocked, Hunger Worsens
With over 90% of Gaza’s population displaced, the blockade has devastated aid efforts. According to the United Nations, the number of meals charity kitchens are serving has dropped from over 1 million daily to just 260,000 in recent weeks.
More than 112 charity kitchens—over 60% of the total—have shut down since May began. Only 68 kitchens still function, and even they are running out of supplies.
The World Health Organization says it can now only treat 500 children with acute malnutrition, while thousands more require care.
Israel insists its blockade is designed to pressure Hamas into releasing remaining hostages and laying down arms, and maintains that sufficient aid entered Gaza during the previous two-month ceasefire.
Famine Looms, Say Global Agencies
A recent report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned that Gaza is on the brink of famine, with nearly half a million Palestinians facing starvation and over 1 million barely meeting minimum nutritional needs.
Gaza’s economy is in total collapse, with markets empty, basic goods unaffordable, and infrastructure—such as farms and factories—largely destroyed.
Gaza War by the Numbers
- 1,200 Israelis killed in Hamas’ 2023 assault
- 52,928 Palestinians killed in Israeli retaliation, per Gaza Health Ministry
- 90%+ of Gaza’s population displaced
- 260,000 meals now served daily by charities, down from 1 million
- 112 charity kitchens closed in May
- 500 children can still be treated for malnutrition by WHO
