Israel-Gaza border, September 5, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen 

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Result in 61 Deaths Over 48 Hours

Escalating Conflict in Gaza

Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least 61 individuals within 48 hours, according to reports from Palestinian medical sources on Saturday. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) continued their operations against Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza, with the strikes targeting key militant positions. These events are part of the broader conflict, which has been ongoing for eleven months, marked by numerous failed attempts to broker a ceasefire agreement. Despite diplomatic efforts, no resolution has been reached, and the release of hostages held by militants in Gaza remains unresolved.

Airstrikes on Displaced Civilians

Among the recent strikes, air raids on two former school buildings—now functioning as shelters for displaced civilians—resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people. These incidents occurred in Gaza City and Jabalia, Palestinian medical officials reported. The Israeli military claimed that the schools were being used by Hamas militants for operations, justifying the strikes. Additionally, five more individuals were killed in a separate strike on a residence in Gaza City, bringing the total casualties to 28 for Saturday alone.

Palestinian Militant Resistance

Armed factions within Gaza, including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah, have continued to engage Israeli forces with anti-tank rockets, mortar fire, and the use of improvised explosive devices targeting Israeli military vehicles. Despite intense fighting, neither side has made significant concessions, and the conflict continues unabated.

Diplomatic Stalemate

International efforts to mediate a ceasefire, led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, have yet to yield any breakthroughs. Both Israel and Hamas blame each other for the failure to reach an agreement. The United States, through CIA Director William Burns, has indicated that a new, more detailed proposal is expected to be put forward in the coming days. However, expectations for a resolution remain low due to the wide gaps between the two sides.

Protests in Israel

In Israel, tens of thousands of citizens have taken to the streets in Tel Aviv and other cities, demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu negotiate the release of the remaining 101 hostages. This public outcry follows the killing of six hostages, an act which has caused significant grief and anger among Israelis. According to Israeli sources, the six hostages were executed by Hamas fighters and their bodies were discovered by Israeli forces in a tunnel in Gaza last Saturday.

Einav Zangauker, the mother of a 24-year-old man abducted by Hamas, expressed frustration with Netanyahu’s leadership, stating, “As long as Netanyahu is in power, we will keep getting the hostages back in body bags.”

Continued Vaccination Efforts Amidst Conflict

Despite the ongoing violence, the United Nations (U.N.), in cooperation with local health authorities, has been able to carry out a polio vaccination campaign aimed at protecting 640,000 children in Gaza. The campaign was initiated following the detection of Gaza’s first polio case in 25 years. Limited pauses in fighting have allowed health workers to vaccinate more than half of the target population in the southern and central regions of Gaza. On Sunday, the campaign is expected to extend to northern Gaza, with a second round of vaccinations planned four weeks after the initial dose.

Casualty Figures and Ongoing Violence

The conflict, which was ignited by the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of approximately 250 hostages, has led to widespread devastation in Gaza. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Israeli strikes have since killed more than 40,900 Palestinians, with nearly the entire population of Gaza—2.3 million people—displaced. The Health Ministry does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its casualty reports, but medical officials estimate that the majority of the fatalities are civilians.

The Israeli military reports that 340 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the ongoing fighting, and estimates that at least one-third of the Palestinian fatalities are combatants.

Diplomatic Challenges

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized on Thursday that both Israel and Hamas need to make concessions to facilitate a ceasefire and move toward a resolution. While Hamas officials claim to have remained committed to a July 2 proposal from the U.S., Israeli leadership, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, has accused Hamas of introducing new conditions that are obstructing progress. The chances for an immediate resolution appear slim, as both sides remain entrenched in their respective positions.