By Israeli forces conducted ground operations and airstrikes in southern Gaza overnight, killing at least 51 people, including women and children, Palestinian health officials reported Wednesday. The operation in Khan Younis marks the latest in a series of Israeli military actions across Gaza as the conflict approaches its one-year mark.
The Gaza Health Ministry said 82 people were wounded in the Khan Younis operation. Records from the European Hospital indicate that seven women and 12 children, some as young as 22 months old, were among the fatalities.
Mahmoud al-Razd, a Khan Younis resident who lost four relatives in the raids, described the scene to The Associated Press: “The explosions and shelling were massive. Many people are thought to be under the rubble, and no one can retrieve them.”
This escalation comes amid rising tensions across the region. Iran launched approximately 180 missiles at Israel on Tuesday night, which Israel claims to have largely intercepted. The attack was reportedly in retaliation for recent Israeli strikes against Iranian allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas leaders.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate against Iran, stating, “Iran made a big mistake tonight and it will pay for it.”
Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its operations in southern Lebanon, with reports of ground incursions and artillery strikes targeting Hezbollah positions. The militant group claims its fighters clashed with Israeli troops in the border town of Odaisseh, forcing them to retreat.
The widening conflict has raised international concerns about a potential regional war. U.S. President Joe Biden expressed full support for Israel and said his administration is in “active discussion” about an appropriate response to Iran’s missile attack.
As tensions escalate, the United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting to address the situation. Israel has declared UN Secretary-General AntĂłnio Guterres persona non grata, accusing him of failing to unequivocally condemn the Iranian attack.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 41,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health authorities, while Israel reports killing more than 17,000 militants. The war began after Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took around 250 hostages on October 7, 2023.
