Gaza City, Palestinian Territories — The Israeli military announced on Thursday that it now controls 40% of Gaza City, the largest urban area in the Palestinian territory. This declaration comes as Israel intensifies its military operations in the region, preparing for a broader offensive after nearly two years of conflict. Despite increasing international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has ramped up its airstrikes in northern Gaza City.

On Thursday alone, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that Israeli airstrikes killed over 30 people in the city, contributing to a total of at least 64 Palestinian deaths across the Gaza Strip. The humanitarian situation in Gaza, home to more than two million people, continues to deteriorate. A senior official from the European Union referred to the ongoing conflict as a "genocide," a term that Israel has strongly rejected, although it has been echoed by various governments and human rights organizations.

Brigadier General Effie Defrin, an Israeli military spokesman, stated in a televised briefing, "We hold 40 percent of the territory of Gaza City," and added that the military operations would "continue to expand and intensify in the coming days." He emphasized the goal of increasing pressure on Hamas, the militant group that launched an attack on Israel in October 2023, which ignited the current conflict.

As the conflict continues, many residents of Gaza have already been displaced multiple times. A senior Israeli military official indicated that the new offensive could force approximately one million Palestinians to flee southward, away from Gaza City. The United Nations recently declared a famine in the region, estimating that nearly one million people are affected.

Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal reported that an Israeli airstrike on Thursday struck a tent sheltering a displaced family in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including three children. The Israeli military responded by stating that the strike targeted a "Hamas terrorist" and expressed regret for any civilian casualties.

In the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood, footage showed residents sifting through the debris of damaged tents. Israa al-Basous, a local resident, described the chaos: "My children and I were sleeping in the tent when we heard the sound of bombing. Shrapnel fell on us, and my four children started screaming."

At Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, the morgue was filled with bodies wrapped in white shrouds. One grieving mother was seen weeping over her deceased son, asking, "Who are you leaving me to, son? Why? Why?"

UNICEF spokeswoman Tess Ingram, during a visit to Gaza, warned that the situation is dire. She stated, "The unthinkable in Gaza City has already begun," highlighting the collapse of essential services and the urgent need for food aid. "Without immediate and increased access to food, more children will starve," she added.

European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera, speaking in Paris, labeled the conflict a "genocide" and criticized the European Union for its inaction. She stated, "The genocide in Gaza exposes Europe’s failure to act and speak with one voice," remarks that were dismissed by Israeli officials as promoting Hamas propaganda.

In the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, another Israeli airstrike reportedly killed seven people, including three children. The Israeli military claimed it was unaware of any such strike. Footage from the area showed Yousef Suleiman, who lost relatives in the attack, surveying the destruction. "The entire tent was destroyed, along with everyone inside," he said.

Due to media restrictions and access challenges in Gaza, independent verification of casualty figures and details from both the civil defense agency and the Israeli military remains difficult. According to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures, the October 2023 Hamas attack resulted in 1,219 deaths, primarily among civilians. In contrast, Israel's retaliatory actions have reportedly led to at least 64,231 Palestinian deaths, most of whom are also civilians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, which the United Nations considers reliable. Meanwhile, Hamas officials have met with Iran's Foreign Minister in Doha to discuss efforts to end the conflict.