As violence escalates in the Gaza Strip, the death toll has soared to over 500 in just two days, primarily affecting women and children. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, relentless Israeli airstrikes and ground operations, which resumed on March 18, 2025, have resulted in a harrowing count of casualties and injuries, with around 909 individuals reported injured.
In the span of just one night on March 19-20, 2025, about 85 people were killed, further compounding the tragedy that has unfolded since the violence erupted. Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), warned that “we are experiencing the worst nightmare. An endless unleashing of the most inhumane ordeals.”
Among the casualties, children and minors account for at least 200 of the deaths, nearly 40 percent of the total, underscoring the dire circumstances facing the most vulnerable in this conflict. Additionally, the dead include 155 men aged 18-59, 112 women, and 39 elderly individuals over 60.
The escalation of violence followed a broken ceasefire that had been in place since January 19, 2025. Israeli forces targeted homes in various locations, including Abasan, Khan Yunis, and the Al-Salam neighborhood. A tragic example of the human cost of these airstrikes includes an incident in which over 50 bodies were transported to the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza after an attack in Beit Lahia on morning.
As rescue teams struggle to locate missing individuals trapped under the rubble caused by the bombing, the dire humanitarian situation is compounded by an acute shortage of medical supplies. Khalil al-Daqran, spokesperson for Gaza’s Ministry of Health, confirmed that since Tuesday night alone, 506 individuals have lost their lives due to the ongoing bombardment.
Shocking reports indicate that 70 percent of the injured are women and children, many suffering critical injuries amplified by the blockade that prevents essential medical resources from reaching hospitals. The situation is critical, with many dying due to a lack of medical resources and treatment options.
In a recent development, the Israeli army announced the launch of a new ground operation focused on the coastal axis from Beit Lahia. Official statements describe the offensive as targeting Hamas missile-launching sites and resistance infrastructure. This escalation continues a pattern that has historically seen military operations inflicting widespread devastation on civilian areas.
As the death toll mounts, international responses focus on the humanitarian aspect, with escalating concerns that the siege on Gaza could soon lead to widespread famine among the territory’s 2.1 million residents. The UN has reported that no humanitarian aid—comprising food, water, or medical supplies—has entered Gaza for 18 consecutive days, signifying an ongoing humanitarian crisis unseen in recent history.
According to Lazzarini, “evacuation orders forcing people to flee were issued impacting tens of thousands of people.” He highlighted the absurdity of the situation, stating, “The vast majority has already been displaced, treated like ‘pinballs’ since the war began nearly 1.5 years ago.” The escalating violence has caused extensive displacement, leaving many with no refuge.
As the violence continues unabated, nations worldwide have condemned the actions taken by Israel, with accusations of violating human rights standards and engaging in what has been termed 'genocide' against Palestinians. Such assertions were voiced in the wake of the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in late 2024.
While some countries remain adamantly supportive of Israel, asserting that military actions are legitimate, the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza challenges the international community's moral compass. “The siege on the war-torn enclave tightens. Under our daily watch, people in Gaza are again and again going through their worst nightmare,” Lazzarini said.
The situation remains critical as the bodies continue to accumulate, and organizations scramble to provide aid amid a severe blockade. With a rising number of casualties, attention now turns not only to the immediate response necessary to alleviate the suffering in Gaza but also to the broader implications of these ongoing conflicts on regional stability and human rights.
As international bodies highlight the pressing need for peace, talks of a ceasefire renewal echo through diplomatic channels, underscoring the urgent requirement for rapid humanitarian assistance and refugee support in one of the world’s most complex and tragic conflicts.
