More than 100 Palestinians were killed in a wave of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip Thursday, as the enclave marked the 77th anniversary of the Nakba amid deepening violence, mass displacement, and collapsing infrastructure. The assault coincided with a high-profile Middle East tour by U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that Gaza be turned into a "freedom zone" administered by the United States.
At least 115 people, mostly women and children, were killed in strikes across Gaza, including 61 in overnight bombings in Khan Younis, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Additional strikes hit Gaza City and the Jabalia refugee camp in the north. Hospitals, including Al Awda, the Indonesian Hospital, and the European Hospital in Khan Younis, were targeted. The Health Ministry said the European Hospital, Gaza's only remaining cancer treatment center, is now out of service.
An Associated Press cameraman in Khan Younis counted 10 airstrikes overnight. The morgue at Nasser Hospital confirmed 54 deaths, including a journalist from Al Araby TV, Hasan Samour, and 11 members of his family. The Israeli military has not commented on the specific strikes.
Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah, said Israeli warplanes targeted nine homes without warning. Entire families were "completely wiped out," he said. He described the attacks as part of a broader pattern aimed at destroying Gaza's social fabric, not just military targets.
Thousands fled northern Gaza on Thursday following new Israeli evacuation orders. "They don't know where to go. There is no safe place for these people," said Al Jazeera's Hani Mahmoud. "The so-called shelters have already been destroyed by Israeli bombs."
Speaking to Al Jazeera, displaced resident Hasan Moqbel said, "They have been bombing Gaza for 19 months. What's left in Gaza? Innocent children are dying."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed earlier this week that the military was "days away" from entering Gaza with full force to "complete the mission" of destroying Hamas. Israel says its offensive follows the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in around 250 hostages. The Gaza Health Ministry says nearly 53,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, with nearly 3,000 deaths since the March 18 breakdown of a previous ceasefire.
On Thursday, Human Rights Watch accused Israel of approaching "extermination" in Gaza, citing the destruction of hospitals, the halt of food and medical aid, and mass civilian deaths. Nearly 90% of Gaza's population has been displaced, and over 500,000 are now at risk of starvation.
Trump, speaking in Qatar during a state visit, said he was open to the U.S. taking control of Gaza. "I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good, make it a freedom zone, let the United States get involved and make it just a freedom zone," he said. "I'd be proud to have the United States have it."
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani urged Trump to use U.S. influence to secure a ceasefire. "Mr President, your involvement could catalyse a breakthrough where others have stalled," Al Thani said at a state dinner. "The United States brings power, leverage, and global weight."
