Israeli airstrikes intensified across Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 70 Palestinians, including 22 children, as reported by health officials. The most severe casualties occurred in Jabalia, located in northern Gaza.
These strikes coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East tour, which includes visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, but notably excludes Israel.
In Khan Younis, the Gaza European Hospital was targeted, with Israeli forces claiming the presence of a Hamas command center beneath the facility. The hospital’s director reported significant damage, including the collapse of the ground in the struck area, suggesting the existence of an underground complex.
The attack led to the evacuation of most of the hospital’s 200 patients. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 28 people were killed in the hospital strikes, with dozens more wounded. Among the injured was a freelance journalist working for the BBC.
The strikes have further strained Gaza’s already overwhelmed healthcare system.
These developments occur amid a broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 52,900 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict’s escalation in October 2023.
The region faces severe shortages of medical supplies, food, and clean water, with many hospitals damaged or destroyed.
International reactions have been mixed. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the Israeli blockade as a humanitarian disgrace, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed such criticisms, accusing detractors of supporting Hamas. The prospects for a ceasefire are still uncertain, and diplomatic efforts face significant obstacles as the conflict continues. 
