Airstrikes in Gaza result in the deaths of 94 individuals; manhunt persists in the West Bank
Raw, Unfiltered Update on the Chaos in Gaza and West Bank
Things have taken a turn for the worst in the war-torn regions of Gaza and the West Bank. Following intense Israeli airstrikes on Thursday morning, Palestinian civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Basal confirmed 94 fatalities in the Gaza Strip. Earlier reports suggested only 50 deaths, but the death toll has since risen significantly.
A 43-year-old Palestinian resident of north Gaza, Amir Selha, reported constant shelling throughout the night. Living areas are packed with people seeking shelter in tents, making them prime targets for the Israeli attacks. Most Gazans have been displaced multiple times during the 19 months of conflict between Israel and Hamas, and with humanitarian aid blocked since March 2, 2025, the situation continues to deteriorate rapidly.
In the West Bank, roadblocks and military raids have become commonplace following Israel's military chief's vow to find the culprits responsible for the recent killing of an Israeli woman during her pregnancy. The woman died on Thursday morning, with her baby delivered by cesarean section in a Tel Aviv hospital. Israel's military has launched a manhunt for the attacker, still at large.
Notably, following the collapse of a six-week ceasefire, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation – a US-supported NGO – plans to begin distributing humanitarian aid within the month after securing distribution points in northern Gaza with Israeli cooperation.
Things have gotten increasingly aggressive between Israel and Hamas, with both parties hardlining their demands. Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of undermining ceasefire and hostage release efforts through military escalation, putting hostages in danger. On the other hand, Netanyahu has vowed to enter Gaza "with full force" and continues to demand that Hamas free hostages, most of whom have been held since October 2023.
The United Nations estimates that 70% of Gaza now either falls within an Israeli-declared no-go zone or is under evacuation order. Mainstream media outlets have reported on the dire humanitarian conditions in the area, including widespread starvation, the depletion of essential supplies like medical aid and vaccines, and shortages of food, fuel, and water.
The situation has sparked anger and calls for revenge, particularly among Israeli settlers, who have taken to social media to demand severe retaliation against Palestinians. In some West Bank towns, Israeli military raids have resulted in civilian casualties. Palestinian Telegram channels and WhatsApp groups are abuzz with claims of road closures, military checkpoints, and violent arguments among residents.
Despite the intense hostilities and the hardened positions of both Israel and Hamas, negotiations are still ongoing for a hostage release and ceasefire deal. Nonetheless, the continued violence and disturbing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank remain significant concerns for the international community, who have called for urgent intervention to end the bloodshed and ensure accountability.
- The escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has extended to politics, with both parties remaining inflexible in their demands, leading to accusations from Hamas that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu undermined ceasefire and hostage release efforts through military escalation.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza and West Bank have resulted in increased crime-and-justice issues, as anger and calls for revenge among Israeli settlers have sparked violent confrontations, causing civilian casualties in some West Bank towns, and inflaming tensions on Palestinian Telegram channels and WhatsApp groups.
