The Israeli military stepped up its operations in northern Gaza before dawn Thursday with airstrikes that slammed into residential areas. Palestinian health officials said numerous people were killed, with rescue workers continuing to discover victims buried beneath the rubble from the air attacks. The airstrikes are part of a more extensive Israeli campaign along the northern border of Gaza, where it seeks to weaken Hamas’s military foothold.

Airstrikes Hit Crowded Homes in Beit Lahiya

After a day of heated exchanges, dense areas in the town of Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza witnessed Israeli airstrikes early Thursday, targeting at least five residential buildings. At least 66 people were killed, according to Hamas sources, though several bodies have not been recovered amid the destruction. The attacks are part of sustained Israeli military operations in the area, which have also affected neighboring towns, including Jabalia and Beit Hanoun.

Medical treatment is seriously stretched to capacity, with Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya unable to adequately treat the wounded because of a lack of medicine and ambulances.

The director of the hospital, Hussam Abu Safiya, reported that most of the casualties are given on-site emergency treatment since the rescue teams face a lot of difficulties in transporting them away from the area.

Razed Northern Gaza Credits

It has been hammered into the north edge of Gaza where three key towns of Beit Lahiya, Jabalia and Beit Hanoun have been subjected to extensive bombing. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed since the offensive began there in early October, forcing mass displacement. The Israeli government claims its operations aim at preventing Hamas from any future attacks, but Palestinians say that Israel is trying to create a long-term buffer zone by depopulating northern Gaza-an allegation Israel denies.

The northern Gaza region has been turned into a high-risk area because of the destruction and still ongoing violence. The head of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, described the situation as dire whereby 80 percent of Gaza is now considered a dangerous zone. “Residents in the north are besieged under a tight squeeze, fighting to survive without havens or sufficient humanitarian aid,” Lazzarini pointed out.

Humanitarian Crisis and Growing Tensions Over Relief Distribution

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. Help deliveries remain sporadic amid complex security challenges disrupting the supply routes. The US administration, under President Joe Biden, recently pressed Israel to bolster the flow of aid to Gaza, threatening consequences if there was no improvement. While Washington said Tel Aviv had made improvements, aid groups on the ground have been skeptical, arguing that help remains insufficient.

Looters in various parts are also sacking aid supplies, sending prices for necessities skyrocketing. In some cases, flour, which is at the core of everyone’s diet, has increased almost without bounds. What used to sell for 50 shekels, or ($13), for a 25-kilogram sack is now 700 shekels, or ($186). Many have been uprooted by the fighting and are suddenly facing acute shortages of food and other basic necessities. Tamer, a resident of Gaza City now living in Deir Al-Balah, highlighted the dire food insecurity, noting, “Hunger is the common reality across Gaza.”

War’s Toll and Stalled Ceasefire Negotiations

The current conflict, which started in response to a deadly Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, has continued with few prospects of an end. Gaza health officials report over 43,922 Palestinian deaths since the escalation, while Israel says the conflict was initiated after Hamas fighters killed 1,200 people and captured over 250 hostages inside Israel.

Efforts to broker a ceasefire have stalled, with mediator Qatar suspending negotiations until both sides show a willingness to compromise. Despite Israel’s focus on northern Gaza, airstrikes are being carried out across the territory, including recent hits on Nuseirat camp in central Gaza and Rafah in the south, where five more Palestinians were killed.

Future Uncertain as Conflict Continues

With negotiations in a freeze and humanitarian conditions deteriorating, the future of Gazans remains uncertain. On the northern front, Israel shows no signs of easing off its campaign while international calls for a ceasefire as well as increased humanitarian support have so far had little to no impact on the ground. Violence and deepening crisis drive growing concerns about extended and escalatory conflict in the region.