Over 53,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza as Israel escalates its airstrikes, claiming at least 143 lives, including children and women, in less than 48 hours, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The relentless Israeli bombardment coincides with US President Donald Trump’s ongoing tri-nation Middle Eastern tour, where he has reportedly secured trade deals worth nearly a trillion dollars with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. However, these agreements have notably excluded Israel, further straining ties between Washington and Tel Aviv.
Observers believe the decision to sideline Israel in these talks, which include critical matters like the Iran nuclear deal and a Yemen ceasefire, has fuelled tensions between the two allies. Trump’s demand for Saudi Arabia to normalise relations with Israel as part of their trade deal was reportedly rejected, leading to a significant shift in regional dynamics.
Also read: Israel expands Gaza offensive, killing 43 in less than 24 hours
Meanwhile, witnesses at the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza described scenes of devastation on Thursday, as Israeli airstrikes struck the al-Tawbah clinic, killing at least 13 people, including children. “Patients were torn apart on the upper floor,” a witness said, capturing the scale of the unfolding humanitarian disaster.
These strikes coincided with the 77th anniversary of Nakba Day, which commemorates the mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948 during the creation of the Israeli state.
Gaza’s Health Ministry has placed the death toll at 53,010, with 119,919 others injured. However, the Government Media Office later updated the figure to over 61,700, noting that thousands more remain missing under the rubble and are presumed dead.
The ongoing conflict has also left a significant toll on the Israeli side, with over 1,139 people killed during Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, and more than 200 taken captive, underscoring the scale of the crisis.
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