International condemnation intensified on Wednesday as Israel grappled with heightened pressure over its Gaza campaign, drawing criticism from the United States for the perceived “indiscriminate” nature of its bombings.
The war, now in its third month, originated in response to the unparalleled attacks launched by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel on October 7.
Gaza lies in ruins after claiming over 18,400 lives, primarily women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, with the added impact of “unparalleled” destruction to infrastructure.
A non-binding resolution calling for a ceasefire received widespread approval from the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
But more air strikes hit Gaza and gun battles again raged through the night, especially in Gaza City, the biggest urban centre, and Khan Yunis and Rafah in the south, AFP correspondents said.
The territory grappled with harsh cold autumn rains, intensifying the struggles for millions displaced and sheltering in makeshift plastic tents. Vital supplies of food, drinking water, medicines, and fuel remained scarce amid more than two months of siege and conflict.
Read also: Hamas, Netanyahu Trade Threats As 300 Die In Gaza In 24 Hours
The piercing sound of air raid sirens resonated in Sderot and surrounding southern Israeli communities, which Marked the persistent rocket threat from militants, most of which were successfully intercepted by air defenses.
The army said an air strike had hit a militant cell in Gaza City’s Shejaiya district ‘that was en route to launch rockets toward Israel’.
In Khan Yunis, a centre of heavy urban combat in recent days, a family gathered to mourn the death in a strike of Fayez al-Taramsi, a father of seven.
‘How are we going to live after him?’ one of his daughters said, crying and clutching his bloodied shirt. ‘He brought us to life.’
The Gaza war, deemed the bloodiest ever, erupted on October 7 following an attack by Hamas gunmen on Israel. Israeli authorities report a death toll of around 1,200, with the majority being civilians, and approximately 240 hostages taken.
Israel, resolute in its mission to annihilate Hamas and bring hostages home, initiated a sweeping aerial and ground assault on Gaza.
The latest round of air strikes resulted in a confirmed minimum of 50 more fatalities, as stated by the Hamas-controlled health ministry on Wednesday.
Israel declared the loss of 115 soldiers, including 10 in northern Gaza on Tuesday, experiencing its deadliest day since the launch of the ground assault on October 27.