Gaza, September 11, 2025: At least 72 Palestinians were killed and more than 350 others injured in the past 24 hours as Israel intensified its aerial and ground offensive across the Gaza Strip, local health officials said on Thursday. The escalation comes ahead of a planned Israeli operation to occupy Gaza City, approved earlier this week by the Israeli security cabinet.
Health authorities reported that 27 bodies were brought to hospitals in northern Gaza following heavy bombardment of Gaza City. Residents described Israeli troops opening fire and conducting air raids in the city just days after evacuation orders were issued, directing civilians to move south. While many have fled towards Khan Younis, others remain, citing lack of resources and space in already overcrowded shelters.
In Khan Younis, at least seven Palestinians were killed on Thursday while attempting to reach aid distribution hubs run by the Delaware-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Eyewitnesses accused Israeli forces of firing indiscriminately at crowds along designated aid routes. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not comment on the latest incident but has previously denied such accusations, insisting its troops fire only warning shots to maintain order.
The GHF began operating in late May as part of an Israeli-backed initiative to replace UN-led relief systems. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the UN of enabling Hamas infiltration and mismanagement of aid supplies—claims the UN strongly denies. The UN has instead accused Israel of deliberately restricting humanitarian operations, warning that more than 90% of Gaza’s population faces famine. On August 22, famine was officially declared in Gaza City by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 64,718 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s 23-month-long offensive. While the ministry does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths, the UN says more than two-thirds of the casualties it has independently verified were women and children.
The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a deadly attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel says 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive.
