Civilians bear brunt of Gaza violence as death toll surpasses 140

In the past 24 hours, according to The Guardian of May 17, 2025, at least 140 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, marking a deadly escalation as Israel appears ready to launch a major offensive in the besieged territory.

Palestinian health officials report that more than 300 people have died since Thursday.

This supposedly made this, one of the most violent phases of the war since ceasefire negotiations collapsed in March.

The intensified airstrikes coincide with a complete Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid, raising alarms about a looming famine in the territory.

According to Marwan al-Sultan, the director of the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, the situation is catastrophic.

“Since midnight, we have received 58 martyrs, while a large number of victims remain under the rubble,” he stated early Saturday.

Reuters confirmed that at least 146 people had died in the last 24 hours.

The surge in violence drew strong condemnation from the UN’s human rights chief, Volker Türk.

Türk accused Israel of using the bombing campaign to forcibly displace Palestinians.

He said the ongoing military operations and the denial of humanitarian assistance point to an effort to cause a permanent demographic shift in Gaza.

Türk called it tantamount to ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed these concerns during an Arab League summit in Baghdad on Saturday.

He called for a permanent ceasefire, reiterating the urgency of halting hostilities.

Israel stated that the current wave of bombings is the opening stage of “Operation Gideon’s Chariots.”

This is supposedly an expanded campaign in Gaza intended to “achieve all of the war goals.”

A significant troop buildup along the Gaza border has accompanied the aerial attacks, with the goal of gaining “operational control” over parts of the territory.

Israeli officials explained that the military campaign and the aid blockade are designed to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages.

During Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, around 250 people were taken hostage, and 1,200 Israelis were killed.

Currently, 57 hostages are still believed to be held by the group.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump recently completed a four-day trip to Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, which pledged billions in investments to the U.S.

Expectations that his visit might rekindle peace efforts were quickly dashed.

Trump reiterated his vision to transform Gaza into a “freedom zone.”

This is reportedly a proposal widely interpreted as a plan for U.S. control over the territory, potentially turning it into what he called the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

Peace prospects further dimmed after Israel refused to proceed with the second phase of a January ceasefire agreement, leading to its collapse in mid-March.

Tensions escalated in early May when Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan that could involve occupying the entire Gaza Strip.

Ceasefire talks were high on the agenda at the Arab League summit on Saturday.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said that participating nations would support a Gaza reconstruction plan.

Unlike Trump’s proposal for external control, Arab ministers pledged $40 million in aid for rebuilding efforts in Gaza and Lebanon.

Later on Saturday, Hamas confirmed the resumption of ceasefire discussions with Israel in Doha, Qatar.

A Hamas official, Taher al-Nono, told Reuters that both sides were negotiating “without preconditions.”

Since the start of Israel’s retaliation campaign following the October 2023 attack, approximately 53,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

Widespread hunger, particularly among children, has also escalated sharply since Israel blocked humanitarian aid on March 2.

Medical facilities have been severely impacted due to repeated airstrikes and limited supplies, leaving much of Gaza without effective healthcare.

Tom Fletcher, the UN aid chief, warned the UN Security Council on Tuesday that Gaza is on the brink of famine and called for the immediate resumption of aid.

Despite Israel’s denial that its blockade is causing hunger, even Trump acknowledged on Thursday that “a lot of people are starving in Gaza.”

Israel claims Hamas diverts aid to support its military operations.

It has also proposed a new aid distribution system managed by private contractors under the protection of Israeli forces.

The U.S. supports this plan, which is expected to be implemented by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation later this month.

However, humanitarian organizations criticized the proposal, calling it impractical and possibly illegal due to the risk of forced displacement.

They urged Israel to lift the blockade and allow established agencies like the UN to deliver aid, emphasizing their ability to ensure that supplies reach civilians, not combatants.

“We can save hundreds of thousands of survivors,” Fletcher stated, highlighting the UN’s strict oversight mechanisms for aid distribution.

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