Israeli Airstrikes Kill 79 in Gaza, Including Doctor’s 9 Children- Report

Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Friday and Saturday have killed at least 79 Palestinians, in one of the deadliest waves of attacks in recent weeks. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it struck more than 100 targets in the past 24 hours, as part of its ongoing campaign known as Operation Gideon’s Chariots, according to the IDF, as reported by The Media Line.

The IDF described the targeted areas as active combat zones and claimed the strikes were aimed at fighters, weapons depots, and tunnel networks. It acknowledged civilian casualties and said the incidents are under formal review.

“We are investigating the strike in Khan Yunis. Every civilian death is a tragedy, but Hamas embeds itself among civilians.” — IDF Spokesperson

Khan Yunis: A Pediatrician’s Personal Tragedy

The most devastating attack occurred in Khan Yunis, where a drone strike destroyed the home of Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, a local pediatrician. At the time of the bombing, she was working at the al-Tahrir Clinic. Her home was reduced to rubble, killing nine of her ten children. Her husband is in critical condition, and her only surviving child, an 11-year-old son, is undergoing emergency surgery, as quoted by The Media Line.

Eyewitnesses at the hospital reported scenes of horror. Dr. Najjar reportedly collapsed in grief upon recognizing the bodies of her children as they were brought into the emergency ward.

The IDF stated that the strike in Khan Yunis was targeting suspected militants near Israeli troops and that the area had been previously declared a combat zone. A formal military investigation has been launched into the incident.

War Toll Rises; Ceasefire Talks Stall

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, as cited by The Media Line, the death toll in Gaza has now reached 53,901 since the war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and led to the abduction of 251 hostages.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed that Israel will not cease its operations until Hamas is disarmed and all hostages are returned. He also rejected recent ceasefire proposals presented by international mediators, stating that Israel will retain security control over Gaza, as reported by The Media Line.

Humanitarian Crisis Escalates

Under international pressure, Israel has allowed 388 humanitarian aid trucks to enter Gaza last week. However, UN relief agencies, as quoted by The Media Line, report dire conditions—especially in southern Gaza, where displaced families are struggling to access food, water, and medical care.

The European Hospital in southern Gaza, one of the few medical facilities with specialized services, remains partially evacuated after a previous strike.

As global outrage over civilian casualties intensifies, analysts warn that the continuation of high-casualty strikes could further strain Israel’s diplomatic standing.