Israeli warplanes strike targets in Gaza, Syria, and West Bank mosque as conflict with Hamas escalates
RAFAH, Gaza Strip – Israeli warplanes launched strikes on various targets across Gaza overnight and into Sunday, as well as on two airports in Syria and a mosque in the occupied West Bank that allegedly was used by militants. The two-week-old war between Israel and Hamas has shown signs of spiraling into a broader conflict.
Israel has been engaged in near-daily fire exchanges with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group since the war began. Tensions are also soaring in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces have battled militants in refugee camps and carried out two airstrikes in recent days.
For several days, Israel has been considering launching a ground offensive in Gaza as part of its response to Hamas’ deadly rampage on October 7. Tanks and tens of thousands of troops have amassed at the border, and Israeli leaders have hinted at an undefined next stage in operations.
Israel has repeatedly urged people to evacuate North Gaza, including by dropping leaflets from the air. While an estimated 700,000 people have already fled, hundreds of thousands remain at risk, raising the potential for mass civilian casualties if a ground offensive occurs.
Israeli military officials have identified Gaza City as the main concentration of Hamas’ infrastructure and underground tunnel system. The next stage of the offensive is expected to heavily target this area. Israel claims it aims to crush Hamas, but officials have also mentioned establishing a buffer zone to prevent Palestinians from approaching the border.
On Saturday, a convoy of 20 trucks carrying aid was allowed into Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah crossing. This was the first time any aid had entered the territory since Israel imposed a complete siege two weeks ago. However, aid workers argue that the amount of aid provided is insufficient to address the escalating humanitarian crisis. The United Nations’ humanitarian agency, OCHA, called for 100 trucks to enter Gaza daily.
Hospitals in Gaza are struggling to cope with the influx of patients and displaced individuals and are running low on medical supplies and fuel for generators. Doctors are being forced to perform surgeries with sewing needles and without anesthesia, using vinegar as a disinfectant. Additionally, the shortage of generator fuel puts at least 130 premature babies at “grave risk,” according to the World Health Organization. Due to strikes, lack of power, and Israeli evacuation orders, seven hospitals in northern Gaza have been forced to shut down.
Critical supplies, including ventilators, are also running low, forcing doctors to ration treatments. Dr. Mohammed Qandeel, who works in Khan Younis’ Nasser Hospital, described the situation as “heartbreaking,” with severely injured patients receiving care in overcrowded, darkened corridors.
Palestinians seeking shelter in U.N.-run schools and tent camps are facing food shortages and have limited access to clean water. The power blackout has also affected water and sanitation systems. The lack of clean water has led to an increase in cases of chickenpox, scabies, and diarrhea.
Israel has been carrying out heavy airstrikes throughout Gaza, particularly in the southern part where civilians have been advised to seek refuge. The Israeli military claims to target Hamas members and installations while avoiding civilian casualties. Palestinian militants have fired over 7,000 rockets at Israel, and Hamas announced that it had targeted Tel Aviv early Sunday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his Cabinet late Saturday to discuss the expected ground invasion. The military spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, confirmed that Israel planned to intensify airstrikes in preparation for the “next stages of the war.”
The death toll in Israel has surpassed 1,400, with most casualties being civilians targeted during the initial rampage by Hamas. At least 212 people, including men, women, children, and older adults, have been captured and taken to Gaza. Hamas released two Americans as a humanitarian gesture on Friday.
The war’s toll in Gaza has exceeded 4,300, including a disputed number of casualties from a hospital explosion. Syrian state media reported that Israeli airstrikes targeted the international airports in the capital, Damascus, and the northern city of Aleppo, leaving one person dead and damaging the runways.
Israel has carried out multiple strikes in Syria since the conflict began but rarely acknowledges specific strikes. The military states that it conducts these operations to prevent Hezbollah and other militant groups from receiving arms from Iran, which also supports Hamas.
Hezbollah reported the death of six of its fighters on Saturday, and the group’s deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, warned that Israel would pay a high price if it initiated a ground offensive in Gaza. In response to rocket fire, Israel struck Hezbollah targets early Sunday.
Additionally, Israel announced evacuation plans for 14 more communities near the Lebanese border. Kiryat Shmona, with a population of over 20,000, was instructed to evacuate last week.
Dozens of Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli-occupied West Bank due to clashes with Israeli troops, arrest raids, and attacks by Jewish settlers. Israeli forces have closed crossings into the territory and checkpoints between cities, citing the prevention of attacks as their rationale. Since October 7, Israel has arrested over 700 Palestinians, including 480 suspected Hamas members.
The internationally recognized Palestinian Authority administers parts of the West Bank and cooperates with Israel on security measures. However, it remains deeply unpopular and has been the target of violent Palestinian protests.
Early Sunday, five people were killed in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Two were killed in an airstrike on a mosque in Jenin, a town that has witnessed heavy gun battles between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops in the past year. The Israeli military claims the mosque compound was owned by Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants who had carried out numerous attacks and were plotting another one.
As the war continues, Palestinians in Gaza face catastrophic conditions. The international community is urging an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the worsening humanitarian crisis.