Gaza City – Israeli forces have significantly intensified their assault on the Gaza Strip, with a series of deadly strikes on residential areas and a major hospital complex resulting in the deaths of over 100 Palestinians in just two days. The attacks have drawn international condemnation and highlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory.
Deadly Strikes on Jabaliya
On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, Israeli airstrikes targeted five residential buildings in Jabaliya city and its adjacent refugee camp. The powerful strikes collapsed the structures, killing at least 70 Palestinians. Among the casualties were many children, according to local health officials and witnesses. Rescue efforts were immediately launched amidst the rubble, but the scale of the destruction hampered access to potential survivors.
Residents described scenes of chaos and devastation, with families trapped under collapsed concrete. The Jabaliya camp, one of the most densely populated areas in the Gaza Strip, has been repeatedly targeted since the conflict escalated, raising concerns about the civilian toll of Israel’s military operations.
Attack on European Hospital Complex
The deadly attacks followed a strike on Tuesday, May 13, on the European Hospital complex. Israeli warplanes reportedly dropped nine bunker buster bombs on or near the hospital grounds. The heavy ordnance caused extensive damage and resulted in the deaths of at least 28 Palestinians, with dozens more wounded. The hospital, located south of Gaza City, serves as a critical healthcare facility in the Strip.
Israeli officials claimed that the target of the hospital strike was Mohammed Sinwar, described as a top Hamas leader. However, Hamas officials swiftly denied that any of their fighters or leaders were operating from within the hospital complex, a claim consistent with international humanitarian law which prohibits the use of hospitals for military purposes.
Mounting Humanitarian Crisis and Diplomatic Activity
The escalating violence comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza reaches critical levels. On Tuesday, May 13, a funeral was held in Khan Younis for journalist Hassan Islayeh, who was killed in a targeted strike, underscoring the grave risks faced by civilians and non-combatants, including media personnel, in the conflict zone.
Meanwhile, at the United Nations, U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher issued a stark warning to the international community. Fletcher called on world leaders to take urgent action to “prevent genocide” in Gaza. He also sharply criticized Israel’s 10-week blockade of the territory, stating that the severe restrictions on aid and essential supplies have resulted in over half a million Palestinians facing starvation.
Amidst the regional turmoil, significant diplomatic developments unfolded. President Trump arrived in Qatar after concluding a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia. During his time in Riyadh, President Trump met with Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda leader, played a significant role in the forces that helped topple the regime of Bashar al-Assad last December.
On Tuesday, concurrent with the attacks in Gaza, the United States and Saudi Arabia finalized a new $142 billion arms deal. The White House described the agreement as “the largest defense cooperation agreement” in U.S. history, highlighting the scale of the ongoing security relationships in the Middle East amidst the backdrop of the Gaza conflict.
International Reaction
The renewed intensity of Israeli strikes has drawn strong reactions globally, with many nations and human rights organizations expressing deep concern over the civilian casualties. Calls for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access into Gaza have intensified. Israel maintains that it is targeting Hamas infrastructure and operatives, asserting that the group embeds itself within civilian populations and infrastructure, including hospitals, a claim Hamas disputes.
The situation on the ground remains dire, with continued hostilities posing an immense threat to the lives and well-being of Gaza’s civilian population, who are also grappling with widespread displacement, lack of medical care, and severe food shortages exacerbated by the ongoing blockade.
