Overview

• Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday killed at least 70 people, including 22 children, with dozens more injured, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
• The strikes followed Hamas’s release of an Israeli-American hostage, though hopes for a ceasefire remain stalled amid escalating violence.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to defeating Hamas, warning of an imminent escalation in military operations.
• The 19-month Israeli blockade has led to severe food shortages, with nearly half a million Palestinians at risk of famine and over 60% of charity kitchens shut down.
• Hospitals in Gaza face critical damage from airstrikes, with reports of disrupted emergency services and halted surgical operations at key facilities.