Attachments
Escalation Overview
The Gaza Strip has entered day 60 of renewed hostilities following the collapse of the March ceasefire. Over the past 36 hours, the scale and frequency of Israeli military operations have dramatically escalated. Airstrikes are now occurring at an estimated rate of one every four minutes, surpassing the pace documented prior to the October 2023 ground operation. The use of heavy artillery, aerial bombardments, drone strikes, and naval shelling has created a sustained high-risk environment across all governorates in the Strip.
Military Operations and Key Impact Zones
Airstrikes and ground-based shelling have intensified across the northern, central, and southern regions. In northern Gaza, Beit Lahia and Jabalia have been subjected to multiple strikes. A particularly devastating airstrike in Jabalia reportedly killed 16 members of journalist Ismail Muqbil’s family. In Al-Tawam, several residents were trapped following repeated strikes near Othman School; there were no prior warnings issued before the impacts.
In the south, Khan Younis continues to be heavily targeted. A drone strike in Abasan al-Kabira killed one person and injured seven. Separately, in Bani Suheila, a residential home was hit by an airstrike, resulting in further civilian casualties.
One of the most notable events involved the targeted killing of Atwa Al-Amour, a former detainee. He was struck in a vehicle east of the European Hospital. Later the same day, his home was destroyed in a separate strike, killing three of his family members. The precision and sequencing of these strikes point to an uptick in targeted operations.
In central Gaza, particularly in Deir al-Balah, intense artillery shelling was reported east of the Salah al-Din Road. This area has historically served as a staging ground for ground incursions. Current observations include the deployment of Israeli armored vehicles and earth-moving equipment east of Salah al-Din Road, along with ongoing tankfire and mortar activity near known NGO and UN facilities. The convergence of these movements is a strong indicator of potential preparation for a broader ground operation.