KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — At least 54 Palestinians were killed in a series of overnight Israeli airstrikes on the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, hospital officials reported Thursday, marking the second straight night of intense bombardment across the besieged enclave. Additional strikes in northern Gaza brought the total death toll over the past 24 hours to 82, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The deadly escalation comes as President Donald Trump tours Gulf nations during his Middle East visit, notably excluding Israel from his itinerary. Hopes that his trip might facilitate a ceasefire or unlock renewed humanitarian access to Gaza have yet to materialize, while Israel’s blockade of the territory enters its third month.
An Associated Press journalist counted at least 10 airstrikes across Khan Younis overnight. Nasser Hospital confirmed that 54 bodies had been received, many so severely injured they were difficult to identify. Among the dead was Hasan Samour, a journalist with Al Araby TV, who was killed alongside 11 members of his family.
In northern Gaza, an airstrike in Jabaliya struck a compound containing a mosque and a small medical clinic, killing 13 people, according to the Hamas-run Civil Defense agency. Wednesday night’s air assault had already left at least 70 dead, including nearly two dozen children.
In Nasser Hospital, scenes of heartbreak unfolded as families mourned loved ones. Safaa Al-Najjar, covered in blood, cried over the bodies of her infant sons—1½-year-old Motaz and 6-week-old Moaz Al-Bayyok—who were killed in the overnight attacks. Five of her other children were wounded, and her husband remained in intensive care.
“I gave them dinner and put them to sleep like always,” she said through tears. “What is their fault? What is their fault?” Outside, mourners performed prayers beside rows of white body bags before loading the dead onto trucks for burial.
The strikes came just days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to intensify the military campaign to eliminate Hamas, the militant group that governs Gaza. “We are days away from entering Gaza with great strength to complete the mission — to destroy Hamas,” Netanyahu said in remarks released by his office.
Human Rights Watch condemned the escalation Thursday, warning that Israel’s plan to seize Gaza and forcibly displace hundreds of thousands of residents was “inching closer to extermination.” The organization called on the international community to intervene.
The war was triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, cross-border attack into southern Israel, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and led to the capture of roughly 250 hostages. Israel’s ongoing offensive has now killed more than 53,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. At least 3,000 people have been killed since Israel resumed attacks after breaking a ceasefire on March 18.
The ministry said Thursday that a total of 53,010 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, with 119,998 others wounded. Of the hostages still held by Hamas, 58 remain unaccounted for, with only 23 believed to be alive, Israeli authorities said.
The conflict has also crippled Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system. The Health Ministry confirmed Thursday that the European Hospital in Khan Younis — Gaza’s only cancer treatment facility — is now out of service due to Israeli strikes that severely damaged infrastructure and cut off access roads.
The Israeli military acknowledged conducting two strikes on the hospital Tuesday, alleging it was targeting a Hamas command center located underneath. Six people were killed in the attack.
Hospital director Dr. Imad al-Hout said around 200 patients were inside the hospital during the strikes. All were evacuated, with the last 90 transferred to other facilities, including Nasser Hospital, on Wednesday. Officials are now working to coordinate repairs, but with ongoing bombardment and a humanitarian crisis deepening, prospects remain grim.
