Israel escalates Gaza airstrikes, killing 91, including newborn baby
A Palestinian casualty is brought to the Indonesian hospital following Israeli strikes in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip March 20, 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS
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Israel has intensified its airstrikes on Gaza for a third consecutive day, killing at least 91 people overnight and early Thursday, including a newborn baby, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Palestinian outlet Quds News Network reported that at least 20 people were killed in Khan Younis after Israeli forces struck several houses in the southern Gaza city. Meanwhile, in northern Gaza, an attack on a family home in the as-Sultan neighborhood west of Beit Lahiya claimed at least seven lives.
'The Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip have intensified, especially at dawn, when at least 11 residential buildings were flattened by the Israeli forces,' said Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum.
'Among those victims who have been killed today were a newborn baby alongside children and women,' Abu Azzoum reported, adding, 'There has been a clear strategic approach that Israel has been using, which does not pass any sort of warning to civilians before striking the buildings that they are taking refuge in.'
Hamas Responds with Rocket Fire
Hamas claimed responsibility for launching rockets at Israel's commercial hub, Tel Aviv, on Thursday in retaliation for what it called 'massacres against civilians' in Gaza.
The Palestinian group said it fired 'a barrage of M90 rockets' after Israel resumed airstrikes following a nearly two-month ceasefire. Hamas has lost several senior leaders in Israel's strikes, including the de facto head of Gaza's government and the head of security services.
Israel's army said it intercepted one projectile from Gaza, while two others landed in open areas. No casualties were reported.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli attacks this week have killed at least 506 people, including 200 children, while 909 others have been injured.
UN Demands Accountability for Deadly Strike
The UN has strongly condemned the killing of one of its foreign staff members and the injury of five others in an Israeli airstrike on a UN site in central Gaza on Wednesday.
UN humanitarian aid chief Tom Fletcher called the attack 'infuriating' and demanded accountability.
'International law is clear. Civilians – including UN staff and humanitarian workers – must not be targeted. The international community must join us in insisting on a genuine investigation and accountability,' Fletcher stated.
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) confirmed that five more of its staff were killed this week.
'In the past few days, another five UNRWA staff have been confirmed killed, bringing the death toll to 284. They were teachers, doctors, and nurses: serving the most vulnerable,' said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.
The renewed Israeli airstrikes have drawn widespread condemnation, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing outrage.
Protests Against Netanyahu in Israel
The ceasefire breakdown has also sparked backlash within Israel, as thousands of protesters gathered in Jerusalem on Wednesday, demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prioritise the safe return of captives still held in Gaza.
Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou reiterated the group's commitment to the ceasefire framework agreed upon in January.
'We are working with mediators to spare our people from war permanently and ensure that Israel withdraws from Gaza,' al-Qanou said.
Despite this, Netanyahu declared on Tuesday that the resumed bombardment was 'only the beginning' and vowed to continue military operations until Israel's objectives—eliminating Hamas and freeing all captives—were met.
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