Gaza Death Toll Tops 50,000 Amid Israeli Strikes; ‘Evacuations Under Fire’ In Rafah As Residents Asked To Leave
Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 26 Palestinians. The total Palestinian death toll since the start of the war has now exceeded 50,000.
Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip killed at least 26 Palestinians overnight into Sunday, including Hamas political leader Salah Bardawil and several women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The Israeli military also ordered residents to evacuate parts of Rafah as tanks advanced into the area.
The Health Ministry reported that the total Palestinian death toll since the start of the Israel-Hamas war has now exceeded 50,000, following Israel’s recent wave of strikes after ending the ceasefire last week, according to news agency AP. More than 113,000 people have been wounded, with women and children making up more than half of the casualties, it stated.
Israeli Rafah Op Described As 'Displacement Under Fire'
Israeli forces ordered residents to leave Rafah’s Tel al-Sultan neighbourhood on foot through a single designated route to Muwasi, an area filled with makeshift tent camps. As per AP's report, eyewitnesses described scenes of families walking along dirt roads, carrying their belongings.
Local journalist Mustafa Gaber, who fled with his family, described the evacuation as “displacement under fire.” In a video call, he said, “There are wounded people among us. The situation is very difficult.” Mohammed Abu Taha, another resident, said many were unable to evacuate due to the overnight military incursion, adding that his sister and her family were trapped in a school surrounded by Israeli forces, the report stated.
Bardawil, a member of Hamas’ political bureau and the Palestinian parliament, was killed in an Israeli strike in Muwasi along with his wife, according to Hamas. He was a well-known political figure who frequently gave media interviews.
Hospitals in southern Gaza reported receiving 24 more bodies from overnight strikes, including several women and children. The European Hospital confirmed that five children and their parents were killed in a strike on Khan Younis, while another family—two girls and their parents—were killed in a separate attack, AP reported. The Nasser Hospital said it received the bodies of two children and their parents, with two more children still trapped under rubble.
The Palestinian Red Crescent alleged that Israeli forces were preventing ambulances from reaching Rafah, leaving several wounded without medical assistance. It also reported that some of its medics had been injured.
Israel maintains that it only targets militants and blames civilian casualties on Hamas for operating within densely populated areas. The Israeli military has claimed to have killed around 20,000 fighters, though it has not provided evidence.
Israel’s Cabinet Approves Controversial Plan for Palestinian “Voluntary Departure”
Late Saturday, Israel’s Cabinet approved the establishment of a new directorate to facilitate the “voluntary departure” of Palestinians, a move aligned with U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to depopulate Gaza and rebuild it. Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the body would operate under Israeli and international law, coordinating “passage by land, sea and air to the destination countries.”
However, Palestinians have strongly rejected the plan, calling it an attempt to force them out of their homeland. Rights groups have also raised concerns, warning that such actions could amount to expulsion in violation of international law, as per the report.
Gaza Ceasefire Collapse And Renewed Protests in Israel
The recent escalation follows the collapse of a ceasefire that had temporarily paused hostilities in January. During that period, 25 Israeli hostages were freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and Israeli forces had withdrawn to a buffer zone, allowing displaced civilians to return to their homes. However, talks for a permanent ceasefire failed as Israel backed out after Hamas rejected proposals to release more hostages before negotiations.
The breakdown has led to renewed protests in Israel, with thousands taking to the streets late Saturday demanding a deal for the return of hostages.
The war, triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has devastated vast areas of Gaza, displacing nearly 90% of its population. Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages in the attack. While many captives have been released in previous ceasefires, Israeli forces have recovered dozens of bodies and rescued eight hostages alive.
Israel recently intensified its blockade on Gaza, cutting off food, fuel, medicine, and other essential supplies to pressure Hamas into altering its stance on ceasefire negotiations.
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