17 Palestinians Killed in Intensified Israeli Strikes Across Gaza

The death toll in Gaza rose by 17 on Thursday as Israeli air and ground assaults intensified. Medics confirmed casualties in Beit Lahiya, Khan Younis, and Nuseirat, where homes, motorcycles, and public roads were targeted. Among the dead were women and children, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the strikes.

Residents in Rafah reported tank incursions deep into northern areas, worsening the humanitarian crisis in a region already devastated by 13 months of war. Gaza officials have reported nearly 44,200 deaths since the conflict began, with the enclave’s population displaced multiple times.

The war, initiated after Hamas-led fighters attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, has seen no progress toward a ceasefire. Mediator Qatar has paused negotiations, citing unwillingness from both sides to compromise. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has vowed renewed efforts to broker peace, urging both parties to seize the opportunity for a truce.