A powerful explosion shook the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, with the blast visible and audible from across the border in southern Israel, as Israeli military operations in the enclave intensified.
The renewed attack has drawn sharp criticism from several of Israel’s Western allies and deepened an already dire humanitarian crisis.
According to the International Organization for Migration, nearly 180,000 people have been displaced in the past 10 days alone.
While Israel has permitted limited humanitarian aid to enter Gaza since last week, international organizations warn that the supplies are far from adequate for the territory’s population of more than 2 million. Aid agencies say Gaza faces an imminent threat of famine.
Despite the partial flow of aid, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have continued across the densely populated coastal enclave. The latest round of attacks comes amid rising diplomatic pressure and calls for a ceasefire.
Israel has defended its actions as necessary to eliminate Hamas and other militant groups operating in Gaza, following months of cross-border violence and rocket fire. Palestinian health authorities report that civilian casualties have continued to rise, though exact figures remain difficult to independently verify due to restricted access.
