At least 65 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn, medical sources told Al Jazeera. Among the victims, 37 were killed in Gaza City, where Israel has escalated strikes in preparation for a broader planned offensive. The latest escalation marks one of the deadliest days in recent weeks as civilians continue to face bombardments across residential neighborhoods.
Israeli warplanes and artillery struck multiple areas overnight and into the morning, with medics reporting mounting casualties as emergency teams struggled to retrieve bodies from the rubble. Gaza’s Ministry of Health confirmed that entire families were wiped out in some of the strikes.
Israeli Strike Hits School in Sheikh Radwan
A deadly air strike struck a school in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, where dozens of Palestinians had taken shelter. At least 12 civilians were killed in the attack, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Survivors reported that people were sleeping in makeshift tents inside the schoolyard when the missiles struck, leaving no time to escape.
Footage circulating on social media and verified by Al Jazeera showed an Israeli quadcopter hovering above a building in Sheikh Radwan. Residents looked on anxiously before the drone dropped an explosive on its target. Moments later, thick smoke billowed from the site, confirming the devastation.
The attack further deepened fears among displaced families who had sought refuge in schools, mosques, and open spaces after fleeing their homes amid relentless bombardments.
More Civilian Casualties Reported
Elsewhere in Gaza City, Israeli forces killed another person in the Tuffah neighborhood, a medical source at al-Ahli Hospital told Al Jazeera. Residents said the victim was targeted while walking near his home.
The series of attacks comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens. Hospitals are overwhelmed, morgues are running out of space, and food and water shortages have left thousands at risk. Aid agencies warn that the intensifying strikes could push the already dire situation into total collapse.
Israeli Leadership Warns of Wider Offensive
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that Gaza City would face total destruction unless Hamas agreed to Israel’s conditions for ending the war. “The gates of hell will soon open on the heads of Hamas’ murderers and rapists in Gaza – until they agree to Israel’s conditions for ending the war,” Katz wrote in a post on X.
The demands include the release of all Israeli captives and the full disarmament of Hamas. Katz reiterated that no ceasefire would be accepted without these terms being met.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also confirmed that the military was preparing to launch a major ground operation in Gaza City. According to Israeli officials, the operation could begin within days.
Hamas Rejects Disarmament Without Statehood
Hamas has responded by rejecting Israel’s terms, saying it is willing to release captives only in exchange for an end to the war. However, the group has made clear that it will not disarm without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The standoff leaves little room for negotiation as the civilian death toll continues to rise. Netanyahu insists that the offensive is the only way to free captives and achieve the stated objective of destroying Hamas. Critics, however, warn that a large-scale assault could endanger the lives of captives still believed to be alive in Gaza.
Read more: Pakistan Shaheens edge Nepal in last-ball thriller to enter semi-finals
Growing Concerns Over Civilian Suffering
Human rights groups and international organizations have expressed alarm over the escalating violence in Gaza. They argue that Israel’s air strikes on schools and densely populated neighborhoods amount to collective punishment of civilians.
With more than 65 Palestinians killed since dawn, including dozens of women and children, aid workers are warning of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. Residents say nowhere feels safe, as shelters, hospitals, and schools remain under constant threat of bombardment.
As Israel signals a full-scale assault on Gaza City, the civilian population braces for more destruction, raising fears that the death toll could rise even further in the coming days.
Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,, X and TikTok for latest updates