Today, on May 18, 2025, Israeli strikes were launched across the Gaza Strip overnight. The airstrikes hit and killed at least 103 people, which, as stated by hospitals and medics, included dozens of children. Staff at the Northern Gaza’s main hospital reported that the Israeli airstrikes directly hit the facility, forcing it to shut down. Additionally, more than 20 displaced people in southern Gaza were killed by airstrikes, which struck houses and tents that sheltered them, according to Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis. The Gaza Ministry of Health’s emergency services reported that in northern Gaza, a strike on a refugee camp killed nine people from a single family and that another strike in Jabaliya killed 10, including seven children.
Although the Israeli military has yet to comment on the overnight strikes, Israel’s attack comes from its new offensive war strategy: “Gideon’s Chariots.” The latest offensive, explained by Israeli officials, consists of building up pressure on Hamas by seizing territory by displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to Gaza’s south and taking control over the distribution of aid in Gaza. However, while Israel has explained that “Gideon’s Chariots” plans to help destroy Hamas and free hostages, this offensive has sparked condemnation and disapproval from the United Nations and aid organizations. International organizations warn that civilians are the ones who bear the toll of the expanded assault. Since Israel increased its intense strikes on Thursday, May 15, as reported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, at least 262 people have been killed and 675 have been injured. When commenting on the events, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tweeted on X (formerly Twitter) Saturday, May 17, sharing that, “The situation for Palestinians in Gaza is beyond description, beyond atrocious & beyond inhumane.” Guterres then added that, “A policy of siege & starvation makes a mockery of international law. The blockade against humanitarian aid must end immediately. This is a moment for moral clarity & action.”
Israel’s new offensive has been the largest since Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu ended the ceasefire in March, according to Israeli media, to prevent himself from plunging into a political crisis. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened to leave the coalition if Netanyahu proceeded to Phase 2 of the ceasefire instead of restarting the offensive, causing Netanyahu to prioritize coalition unity over calls for a renewed ceasefire. Netanyahu’s decision has come at the cost of lives, intensifying the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel is currently pressuring Hamas to agree to a new temporary ceasefire, aimed at securing the release of hostages, while signaling that it does not intend to end the war entirely. On the other hand, Hamas demands a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and a pathway to ending the war as part of any deal. Reflecting on the struggles to reach a ceasefire, Jabaliya resident Abu Mohammad Yassin commented, saying that “When the Jews want a truce, Hamas refuses, and when Hamas wants a truce, the Jews refuse it. Both sides,” he added, “agree to exterminate the Palestinian people.” Yassin then shared that the Palestinian people were tired of being displaced, begging for both sides to have mercy on them.
Recently, Israel’s military has shared that ground operations are continuing throughout the Palestinian territory’s north and south, calling upon tens of thousands of reservists. As reported by Israel’s chief of staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, Israel’s plans include “dissecting” the strip. The military then shared that preliminary strikes over the week had killed dozens of militants, striking more than 670 targets. In response to concerns over civilian casualties, Israeli officials have blamed Hamas, asserting that the militant group operates from densely populated civilian areas. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, nearly 3,000 people have been killed since the ceasefire ended eight weeks ago.
As the situation continues to evolve, the latest escalation in Gaza marks a critical turning point in the already prolonged conflict. Whether it leads to further conflict or opens the door to renewed negotiations remains to be seen. However, it stands clear that without coordinated diplomatic and humanitarian efforts from the international community, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will only increase.
Written by Claire Liu
