Ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza City, with military plans to escalate offensive operations
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Gaza Strip and Gaza City have been the focus of intense military action. On Monday, Israeli strikes hit several areas across Gaza, causing significant civilian casualties.
Seven Palestinians, all members of the same family, were tragically killed in a strike on a residential building in Khan Younis. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported seven more deaths and 41 injuries in Gaza City's Al-Quds Hospital. Five Al Jazeera media workers were also killed in a strike on a press tent near Al-Shifa Hospital.
These attacks occurred despite announced military pauses, with many taking place along food convoy routes and near humanitarian sites. The UN has expressed concern over the killing of civilians trying to access food and aid, and the safety of humanitarian workers and journalists.
The UN Security Council held an emergency session on the expansion of the Gaza military operation, with the UN Secretary-General calling for impartial investigations into attacks on journalists and humanitarian sites. The international community has strongly condemned the targeting of civilians and humanitarian sites, and calls for investigations have grown louder.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his government's plans to expand a military offensive into Gaza City, aiming to take control of the city. However, the operation faces opposition from within Israel, with families of the remaining 20 or so living hostages held by Hamas and members of the security establishment expressing concern.
Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has been among the international voices criticising the situation, calling it "unacceptable" and "pure denial of the law and the founding values of our civilisation." He also stated that "decisions must be made that force Netanyahu to think."
Amidst the ongoing violence, medical teams are working around the clock to manage the growing number of casualties. However, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with an estimated 61,722 Palestinians reportedly killed and over 154,000 injured since October 2023, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health and UN reports. The Israeli offensive has already displaced most Palestinians and pushed the territory toward famine.
The UN Security Council session may discuss potential measures to end the conflict and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Despite mounting calls from its closest allies to end the war, the Israeli army is planning to move forward with the operation. The international community will continue to closely monitor the situation and call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
[1] UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). (2025). Gaza: Civilian casualties mount as Israeli offensive continues. [online] Available at: https://www.unocha.org/gaza-civilian-casualties-mount-israeli-offensive-continues
[2] Gaza's Ministry of Health. (2025). Gaza casualties since October 2023. [online] Available at: https://www.gazahospital.ps/gaza-casualties-since-october-2023
[3] Committee to Protect Journalists. (2025). Six journalists killed in Israeli strike near Al Shifa Hospital. [online] Available at: https://cpj.org/2025/08/six-journalists-killed-in-israeli-strike-near-al-shifa-hospital.php
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between Israel and Hamas, a conflict marked by intense military actions, has escalated to the point where politics and general news are dominated by civilian casualties, humanitarian crises, and concerns over attacks on journalists and humanitarian sites.
- In the midst of the Gaza military operation, calls for impartial investigations into attacks on journalists and humanitarian sites have grown louder from international leaders, including Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, who has termed the situation "unacceptable" and urged decisions that compel Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reconsider his strategies.
