Israel Bombards Gaza City, 16 Killed in Attacks/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israeli forces intensified their assault on Gaza City, killing at least 16 Palestinians and wounding dozens more. The military is preparing for a major operation amid rising casualties and worsening humanitarian conditions. Over 70 Palestinians were killed in a 24-hour span.
Gaza Bombardment Quick Looks
- Israel steps up military operations in Gaza City suburbs
- At least 71 Palestinians killed in last 24 hours, officials say
- 16 people killed Thursday; dozens wounded across the enclave
- Israeli military targets Hamas infrastructure, claims militants killed
- Food aid sites near Rafah, Khan Younis hit by gunfire
- Four people dead, dozens injured near food distribution points
- Gaza death toll surpasses 62,000 since October 2023
- Two more children die from starvation amid worsening famine
- Red Cross, hospitals report rising numbers of gunshot wounds
- Ceasefire talks stalled as Israel demands full hostage release
Deep Look: Israel Intensifies Gaza Bombardment, Killing 16 Amid Rising Civilian Toll
CAIRO, August 28, 2025 — Israeli military forces intensified their campaign across Gaza on Thursday, launching a fresh wave of bombardments that killed at least 16 Palestinians, according to local health officials. The strikes targeted eastern neighborhoods of Gaza City, where Israeli officials say Hamas still maintains a stronghold.
The Israeli military has indicated it is preparing to take control of Gaza City, the enclave’s most populous urban center. This operation, if carried out, is expected to displace many of the estimated one million Palestinians currently sheltering there and escalate the already dire humanitarian crisis.
Despite mounting international pressure to halt the offensive, airstrikes struck areas in Shejaia, Zeitoun, and Sabra, forcing hundreds of families to flee toward the coastline. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as explosions lit up the early morning sky and homes crumbled into rubble.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli attacks over the last 24 hours has risen to 71, including Thursday’s fatalities. Four of the dead were children, and many of the injured remain in critical condition.
Civilian Casualties Mount Near Food Aid Distribution Sites
In the southern city of Rafah, four people were killed and 31 wounded, most with gunshot injuries, as they attempted to reach food distribution centers. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the wounded told doctors they were fired upon while seeking humanitarian aid.
A spokesperson for the Red Cross said the organization’s field hospital in Rafah had received over 5,000 weapon-wounded patients since May 27, when the food distribution program began.
In Khan Younis, Nasser Hospital admitted dozens more Palestinians with similar injuries. Dr. Mohammad Saqer, head of nursing at the hospital, told Reuters that most patients had been shot in the upper body, with many in critical condition. He confirmed reports that the victims had been gathering near food aid sites when the shooting occurred.
The Israeli military did not issue an immediate response to allegations of firing on civilians at food distribution areas.
Strategic Aims and Civilian Fallout
The Israeli government maintains that its military actions are aimed at eliminating Hamas, the group it holds responsible for the October 7, 2023, surprise attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages. While most hostages have been freed, 50 remain, including 20 believed to be alive.
Despite Hamas accepting a recent ceasefire proposal, Israel has not formally responded. Officials insist that any deal must include the release of all hostages and the surrender of Hamas leadership.
In the meantime, Israel’s offensive continues across Gaza, with the military stating it struck “terrorist organizations and infrastructure.” It reported killing three militants in the past 24 hours but did not detail how they were identified.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza
As Israel’s offensive expands, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 62,000, according to the local health ministry. Most of the deceased are reportedly women and children. While Israel disputes these numbers, the figures reflect the scale of devastation in the enclave.
Beyond the violence, starvation and malnutrition are also on the rise. On Thursday, health officials reported that four more people, including two children, died from starvation-related causes. This brings the total number of famine-related deaths to 317, including 121 children, since the start of the war.
The Gaza Health Ministry has blamed the increasing death toll on restrictions to humanitarian access and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. Israel, in contrast, has challenged the accuracy of Gaza’s statistics and recently called on a global hunger watchdog to retract a report that found famine conditions in Gaza City.
The Bigger Picture
The war, which began after Hamas’s October 2023 cross-border attack, has led to an unrelenting Israeli military campaign. The campaign has razed entire neighborhoods, overwhelmed hospitals, and driven the majority of Gaza’s two million residents into displacement.
Despite diplomatic efforts, including recent U.S.-led attempts to broker peace, the conflict shows no signs of abating. Israel remains committed to its military objectives, while Palestinian civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.