Israeli forces continued their relentless assault on Gaza, killing nearly 100 people, including women and children, on Thursday (20 March).
This brings the total death toll in the besieged enclave to 710 since Tuesday, with 900 others wounded, reports Al Jazeera.
Reports indicate that around 70% of the injured are women and children, most of whom are in critical condition.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health spokesperson, Khalil Al-Daqran, Israeli attacks intensified at dawn, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Many of the wounded have succumbed to their injuries due to a severe shortage of medical supplies and essential treatment.
Israeli ground forces have also joined the offensive.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that, alongside the conflict in Gaza, a “larger and more intense battlefield” could emerge in the occupied West Bank.
Since the onset of the war, Israeli strikes on Gaza have claimed 49,547 lives, with 112,719 wounded.
However, Gaza’s government media office reports a higher toll of 61,700, including those still buried beneath the rubble, presumed dead.
Netanyahu has reaffirmed that the war on Gaza will continue indefinitely. Luciano Zakara, an associate professor at Qatar University, remarked:
"The Israeli government is determined to continue the war until it achieves two objectives: securing the release of hostages, primarily through negotiations, and the complete destruction of Hamas—Netanyahu’s long-standing priority."
Zakara further noted that the previous ceasefire agreement was perceived by many within Netanyahu’s coalition as a defeat. With hostages now regarded as sacrificial casualties, the government appears intent on pursuing all-out war.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani have discussed ways to revive ceasefire negotiations, according to Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both countries have played a key role in mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas since the beginning of the conflict. The two diplomats reiterated their commitment to regional stability and a political settlement, underscoring that a sovereign Palestinian state remains central to resolving the crisis.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has launched drills in the occupied Golan Heights, announcing an increased deployment of troops. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Israeli forces warned that explosions would be heard, but assured the public that there was no security threat.
Since the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime in December, Israeli forces have expanded their control over additional Syrian territories, including encroachments into the buffer zone established in 1974.
