Israel launches new major offensive in Gaza

(Patria) - The Israeli army (IDF) announced last night that it has begun a new major offensive in the Gaza Strip.

"The IDF began extensive strikes and mobilization of forces over the past day to achieve operational control in the areas of Gaza.

This is part of preparations to expand operations and fulfill the objectives of the war, including the release of hostages and the dismantling of the Hamas terrorist organization," the army stated in a post on X.

Israeli media reported that the expansion of operations would begin after the end of US President Donald Trump's trip to the Persian Gulf region, if a new agreement on Gaza is not reached by then.

Trump has since concluded his multi-day trip, and a new deal is still not in sight.

On Friday, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that at least 100 people were killed in the northern Gaza Strip since Thursday evening following multiple Israeli airstrikes.

⭕️ The IDF has begun conducting extensive strikes and mobilizing troops to achieve operational control in the areas of Gaza, over the past day.
This is part of preparations to expand operations and fulfill the objectives of the war — including the release of hostages and the…

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 16, 2025

The health administration controlled by Hamas states that 93 people were killed and more than 200 injured. The numbers do not differentiate between civilian and military casualties, and cannot be independently verified.

The Israeli government has been blocking all aid to the territory for two months, while international humanitarian organizations warn of catastrophic humanitarian conditions.

Malnutrition seriously affects children, pregnant women, and chronically ill patients, and also slows down the recovery of patients with severe war injuries. Aid supplies are running out, according to numerous organizations and the United Nations.

Israel resumed its offensive in the Gaza Strip on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire with the Palestinian militant movement Hamas.

Since then, more than 1,500 Palestinians have been killed, bringing the death toll in the territory to 52,535 since the beginning of the Israeli offensive launched in retaliation for Hamas's attack from Gaza on October 7, 2023.

In that attack on that day, 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, were killed, according to AFP data based on official figures.

Israel claims that 58 hostages are still being held captive, and about 23 are said to be alive.

Many of the 250 hostages abducted by Hamas-led militants in the 2023 attack were released in accordance with ceasefire agreements.