Israeli airstrikes targeted over 120 sites in the Gaza Strip as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle Hamas infrastructure. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued its ground offensive in Gaza City, focusing on buildings and facilities that Hamas reportedly uses to maintain its operations.
According to The Times of Israel, the IDF’s 98th Division engaged in combat with Hamas militants in Gaza City, resulting in several deaths among the group. Israeli forces also found rockets and rocket-propelled grenades during their operations. Drones were deployed to strike a Hamas surveillance post that was also used by Palestinian Islamic Jihad for staging activities. Additionally, the IDF’s 36th and 162nd divisions destroyed tunnels and killed members of both Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
Reports from Al Jazeera indicated that at least 91 Palestinians were killed during these attacks, with at least 45 fatalities occurring in Gaza City. The source did not clarify how many of those killed were militants or civilians.
The military actions have affected humanitarian organizations operating in northern Gaza. Doctors Without Borders announced it had suspended its activities due to Israeli forces encircling its clinics. “We have been left with no choice but to stop our activities as our clinics are encircled by Israeli forces,” said Jacob Granger, the emergency medical coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, as reported by The New York Times. “This is the last thing we wanted,” Granger added. “The needs in Gaza City are enormous.” He noted that more than 1,600 Gazans had received treatment for malnutrition and that over 3,600 medical consultations had been conducted.
Within Israel, public debate has intensified regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy for freeing hostages held by Hamas and ending the conflict. Former hostage Doron Steinbrecher voiced concerns about government efforts at a protest in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square: “I don’t know if I still believe that everything is being done,” Steinbrecher said to demonstrators on Saturday. “I have no choice but to believe they’ll come back,” she continued. “We have no choice, and neither do they.” She called on the government to pursue all possible opportunities for a cease-fire and release of hostages.
President Donald Trump recently estimated that up to 58 hostages remain captive in Gaza, with only about 20 believed to be alive.
