Bloody Dawn Strikes: Israel Escalates Attacks on Gaza

20th March 2025

3 minutes read

Bloody Dawn Strikes: Israel Escalates Attacks on Gaza

At dawn on Thursday, Gaza awoke to a wave of intense Israeli airstrikes that killed dozens and injured hundreds with varying degrees of severity.

These new strikes have raised the death toll to over 480 people since the resumption of bombardments on Tuesday morning, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense.

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The attacks directly targeted homes and civilian infrastructure, killing many Palestinian families, including women and children, while rescue operations continue to recover victims from the rubble.

Mahmoud Bissel, spokesperson for the Civil Defense, confirmed that at least 10 civilians were killed and dozens injured in Israeli airstrikes targeting six homes in eastern Khan Younis, southern Gaza, at dawn on Thursday.

14 Family Members Killed

Just hours earlier, one of the deadliest airstrikes occurred in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, where Israeli warplanes targeted a house hosting a mourning gathering. The attack killed 14 members of a single family and seriously injured several others.

Bissel stated that search and rescue operations were still ongoing at the site, noting that several individuals remained missing under the rubble, potentially increasing the death toll.

“The Final Warning”

Israel announced that it would continue bombing Gaza, calling its latest attacks a “final warning” to Hamas to release the hostages.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz threatened that the escalation would intensify further if Hamas did not comply with Tel Aviv’s demands, urging Palestinians to “get rid of Hamas.“

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that negotiations over the hostages “will only take place under fire,” signaling the government’s intent to maintain military pressure on Hamas.

Hamas Responds

In response, Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to negotiations while accusing Israel of stalling and prolonging the war for military and political gains.

Taher al-Nounou, media advisor to the head of Hamas‘ political bureau, stressed that the movement had not closed the door to discussions.

UN Facility Targeted

Amid the escalation, Israeli strikes hit a United Nations facility in Gaza, killing a Bulgarian UN employee.

The incident sparked international outrage, with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy calling for a “transparent investigation” and accountability for those responsible.

Israel denied responsibility for the attack, stating that its preliminary investigations found no link between its military and the strike that killed the UN worker.

Ongoing Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis

As the bombardments continue, hundreds of Palestinian families have fled northern Gaza, carrying whatever belongings they could, in a scene reminiscent of previous humanitarian tragedies in the besieged enclave.

Humanitarian organizations warn of worsening conditions as food and medical shortages intensify, while Israel’s ongoing blockade threatens an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.

Internal Pressure on Netanyahu

Inside Israel, protests demanding an end to the war and the safe return of hostages in Gaza have intensified. Thousands of Israelis have demonstrated in Jerusalem, accusing Netanyahu‘s government of delaying negotiations and failing to seek a serious resolution to the crisis.

Protesters argue that negotiation is the only viable solution for securing the hostages’ release, criticizing a military strategy that has prolonged the war for months without achieving tangible results.