Israeli attacks result in the loss of 17 lives according to Gaza emergency services
In the past few days, the Zeitun neighborhood of Gaza City has been under relentless bombardment by Israeli forces, with families and residents making a total of 28 distress calls to the civil defence agency since dawn.
The attacks have resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis, with at least 87 Palestinians, including 25 children, losing their lives since early August 2025. Six of the killed were civilians waiting for humanitarian aid, highlighting the desperate situation faced by the people of Gaza.
The targeted areas include Az Zaytoun, As Sabra, Ash Sheikh Radwan, Ash Shujaiyeh, Ash Shati Camp, Khan Yunis, and Zeitun itself. The destruction of homes and public facilities has exacerbated urgent food shortages, and the UN and aid agencies warn that without a ceasefire and sustained access to deliver food and medical aid, many civilians face starvation and death.
The Israeli military has called up 50,000 to 60,000 reservists to support a planned invasion and occupation, with troops currently holding the outskirts and Zeitoun neighborhood. The military intends to take control of Gaza City and neighbouring refugee camps, some of the most densely populated areas in the Palestinian territory.
The Gaza civil defence agency reported that the Zeitun area has been subject to a military operation for the fourth consecutive day. Despite the large civilian presence in these areas, the Israeli military has not yet commented on the strikes.
The humanitarian impact of these operations is severe. Whole urban areas are reportedly "totally destroyed," with mass displacement of families who have nowhere safe to flee. The destruction of homes and public facilities, coupled with the current extreme heat in Gaza, has made living conditions unbearable for many. Umm Khaled Abu Jazar, a displaced resident living in a nylon tent, describes the heat as unbearable and the tent as an oven with no ventilation. She and her children have developed skin rashes due to the heat.
The operation has resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. On Thursday alone, at least 17 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza City. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City and buried shortly afterwards at the Sayyid Hashim cemetery.
In addition to the loss of life, the ongoing military operations have disrupted water supplies, with the water in Gaza now hot from the sun due to the destruction of infrastructure. Many people in the Zeitun area cannot leave due to artillery fire, compounding their suffering.
The UN and humanitarian officials emphasize the "systematic destruction" of Gaza City underway, urging an immediate ceasefire to prevent further civilian deaths and a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. The Israeli military has approved a new plan for operations in the Gaza Strip aimed at freeing all hostages and defeating Hamas. However, as the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, it is clear that a swift resolution is needed to alleviate the suffering of the civilians caught in the crossfire.
[1] Human Rights Watch. (2025). Gaza: Israeli Airstrikes on Residential Buildings Kill Civilians. [online] Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/08/06/gaza-israeli-airstrikes-residential-buildings-kill-civilians
[2] Al Jazeera. (2025). Israel calls up 50,000 reservists for Gaza operation. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/08/israel-calls-50000-reservists-gaza-operation-202585144028677.html
[3] Amnesty International. (2025). Israel/Gaza: Unlawful attacks cause devastating loss of life and destruction. [online] Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/08/israelgaza-unlawful-attacks-cause-devastating-loss-of-life-and-destruction/
[4] UN OCHA. (2025). Gaza: Humanitarian Situation Deteriorating Rapidly. [online] Available at: https://ochaopt.org/content/gaza-humanitarian-situation-deteriorating-rapidly-0
[5] BBC News. (2025). Israel-Gaza: Israel says Gaza City is Hamas stronghold with militant tunnels. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-58314924
- Despite the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza City, the severe weather conditions, particularly the extreme heat, have added to the general-news of mass displacement and unbearable living conditions for many citizens.
- As the residential buildings in Gaza continue to be targeted in the ongoing conflict, human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch have reported numerous car-accidents, accidents, and crime-and-justice incidents due to the chaos and destruction.
- The United Nations and other aid agencies are warning about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including food shortages, starvation, and increased cases of crime-and-justice as a result of the war-and-conflicts and weather conditions.
- Political talks about a ceasefire have been affected by the prevailing weather-forecasting in Gaza, as constant artillery fire and destroyed infrastructure hinder the safe delivery of food, medical aid, and basic services to civilians.
