Israel resumes offensive in Gaza as civilian toll rises
In the past 48 hours, Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least 130 people, with more than 260 others injured. The conflict in the region has been ongoing since October 2023.
The Gaza Strip's health ministry reported that from Thursday morning to late Saturday morning, at least 130 people were killed, and more than 260 were injured due to Israeli attacks. According to the Polish Press Agency, the Israeli army resumed bombings on March 18, and a day later began ground operations.
Two days ago, on Thursday, the Gaza Strip's civil defence reported that since Israel's return to active military action, 504 residents of the Palestinian territory have died, including more than 190 children. Israel hopes these actions will force Hamas to release hostages held since October 2023.
Four days ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government resumed offensive actions after withdrawing from most of the semi-enclave territory in January. The army was stationed in the buffer zone along the border with Israel and in the Philadelphi Corridor near the border with Egypt. Civilians in areas adjacent to the buffer zones were ordered to evacuate.
Ongoing conflict
The war in the Gaza Strip has been ongoing for nearly a year and a half. More than 90% of residents have had to leave their homes. Israel resumed the offensive on March 18, which, according to the Israeli side, is due to Hamas rejecting further offers to extend the ceasefire agreed upon in January. Israel stated that the actions are leading to the expansion of the buffer zone separating the northern and southern parts of the Gaza Strip.
The war erupted after a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were abducted. In the Israeli retaliatory operation, more than 49,700 residents of the Gaza Strip have died so far.
