The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has escalated sharply as Israeli forces besiege Gaza hospital facilities amid a renewed and intense military campaign. The Indonesian hospital in Beit Lahia, located in northern Gaza, has become the latest flashpoint, with reports of heavy shelling and restricted access for medical personnel, patients, and critical supplies. As part of “Operation Gideon’s Chariot,” Israel’s expanded offensive has drawn global concern, especially as hospitals and refugee camps come under fire. The siege has intensified scrutiny of the military strategy and raised urgent questions about the protection of civilians in conflict zones.
This escalation coincides with the launch of Israel’s latest military operation, dubbed Operation Gideon’s Chariot, described by the Israel Defense Forces as a campaign to achieve all of the war’s objectives — including the release of hostages and the defeat of Hamas. The operation marks one of the deadliest waves of strikes in Gaza in recent months.
The Gaza health ministry reported that three public hospitals in northern Gaza are now “out of action” due to the ongoing attacks. Over the past four days, at least 300 people have been killed, with strikes targeting medical facilities and refugee camps in both northern and southern parts of the Strip, including Beit Lahia, Jabalia refugee camp, and the southern city of Khan Younis.
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Hamas, in a bid to halt the violence, has proposed a 60-day truce in exchange for the release of nine hostages, according to a Palestinian official involved in the Qatar-mediated negotiations.
Since Israel resumed its military offensive on 18 March — following the breakdown of a fragile two-month ceasefire — thousands have died, and humanitarian conditions in the territory have continued to deteriorate. Aid organizations report worsening shortages, as Israel has blocked the entry of food and essential supplies for over 10 weeks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a major escalation in Gaza, outlining a strategy to capture and maintain control over territory, force displacement of Palestinians to the south, and eradicate Hamas. He stated on 5 May that the next phase of ground operations would begin after former U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his Middle East tour — which ended on Friday.
As Israeli forces besiege Gaza hospital centers and other civilian infrastructure, the humanitarian fallout deepens in a region already overwhelmed by months of war. With multiple hospitals now out of operation and access to aid severely limited, Gaza’s health system teeters on the brink of collapse. The continued military pressure, coupled with stalled ceasefire efforts, underscores the need for renewed international engagement. Unless a diplomatic breakthrough occurs, the targeting of vital health institutions may become one of the most haunting legacies of the ongoing conflict.
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