Israeli airstrikes and artillery bombardments killed at least 23 Palestinians on Tuesday as the Israeli military widened evacuation orders across the Gaza Strip, pressing forward with its renewed campaign against Hamas amid escalating humanitarian concerns and diplomatic deadlock.
Health officials in Gaza reported that seven of those killed overnight were children. The Gaza Ministry of Health said a total of 62 people were killed in the past 24 hours. The attacks hit areas throughout the territory, including Gaza City in the north and Khan Younis in the south, targeting residential homes and displacement camps.
In central Gaza, a strike on a home in Bureij killed eight people, while five others died when two tents housing displaced families were hit in Khan Younis. In Beit Lahiya, three people were killed, including a three-year-old girl. "There have been continuous air strikes on civilians' homes and where Palestinians are sheltering," said Al Jazeera's Hind Khoudary, reporting from Deir el-Balah.
The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders Tuesday for tens of thousands of residents in Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, and Shejaia in northern Gaza, as well as parts of Khan Younis and Rafah. "For your safety, you must move immediately south to known shelters," the army said in statements broadcast across the region.
The directive comes despite repeated warnings from United Nations agencies and humanitarian groups that no part of Gaza can be considered safe. Israeli-designated humanitarian zones have themselves been hit during the nearly 18-month war.
Save the Children condemned the renewed offensive, calling it "a death sentence" for Gaza's youth. "Children are being killed in their sleep in tents. They are being starved and attacked. The only way to ensure children and families are protected is through a definitive ceasefire," the group said in a statement Tuesday.
Since the resumption of hostilities on March 18, Israeli strikes have killed 792 Palestinians and wounded at least 1,663, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The war's total toll now exceeds 50,000 deaths and more than 113,000 injuries. Thousands remain missing under rubble, presumed dead.
Israel's latest campaign follows the breakdown of a two-month ceasefire, which Hamas claims was violated by Israeli actions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the offensive was intended to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining 59 hostages. Israeli authorities estimate about 24 of the hostages are still alive.
Hamas stated it remains committed to a three-phase ceasefire agreement mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States but has seen no breakthrough in talks. The group denounced the latest Israeli air raids as "horrific massacres" and accused Israel of undermining diplomatic efforts.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and capturing around 250 hostages. Israel's military response has since led to widespread destruction in Gaza and the repeated displacement of nearly the entire 2.3 million-strong population.
