Israel strikes about 120 targets in Gaza, Gaza health officials say at least 44 killed
Airstrikes targeted buildings, tunnels and a surveillance post as international pressure for a ceasefire intensifies; Israeli authorities cite Hamas activity and ongoing military operations.
The Israeli Air Force conducted airstrikes against about 120 targets in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, officials said, widening a military operation that has drawn renewed international calls for a ceasefire. The targets included buildings, tunnels and a surveillance post that the Israeli military said were used by groups tied to Hamas. The strikes came as the operation entered a new phase amid mounting pressure from Washington, European capitals and regional actors to halt fighting and pursue diplomacy.
Gaza health officials said at least 44 people were killed in the early morning strikes, a toll that figures dwarf the number of combatants the sides have acknowledged and that the health authorities do not distinguish between civilians and military fighters. The toll was expected to rise, officials warned, as rescue teams comb through wreckage in multiple neighborhoods and residents returned to damaged homes to assess losses.
The Israeli Defense Force released footage of a drone strike targeting two men seen digging in the ground, whom it said were Hamas operatives trying to plant bombs in Gaza City. The video, circulated by the IDF, showed soldiers tracking the two men and eliminating them in what the military described as a precise strike. The IDF said such operations are part of a broader effort to disrupt explosive devices and other threats in dense urban areas.
Israeli authorities also reported a broader wave of internal security concerns, including hundreds of disturbing phone calls in Hebrew offering money to act as agents for Iranian intelligence. Officials said the calls appeared to be an intimidation and recruitment attempt, citing a recording reported by Ynet that promised a “competitive salary” and “comprehensive security” if the recipient cooperated. The reports underscore the multidimensional nature of the conflict as security services monitor potential cross-border interference and attempts to destabilize Israeli civilian life during a tense period of fighting.
The broader regional frame remained volatile. In Lebanon, Hezbollah commemorated the one-year anniversary of the assassination of its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah by releasing what it described as the last image of him in a command operations room. Nasrallah was killed days after the Beirut strike that destroyed the capital’s government quarter, an event that sparked major demonstrations at his tomb. The Times of Israel and other outlets reported that thousands attended a memorial in Beirut, underscoring the spillover risk of the Gaza conflict for regional dynamics and alliances.
International attention intensified as negotiators pressed for a ceasefire and an end to the two-year war. The latest round of Israeli strikes, while framed by Israel as necessary to degrade Hamas capabilities and prevent rocket and explosive attacks, has drawn calls from the United Nations and several governments for restraint and a renewed push for diplomacy. Observers note the difficulty of stopping a conflict that has produced heavy casualties on both sides and worsened living conditions for civilians in Gaza, with aid access and electrical power repeatedly disrupted amid ongoing hostilities.
As the fighting continued, aid organizations warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remained dire. Hospitals reported shortages of medicine and supplies, and residents described long queues for basic necessities amid curfews in several neighborhoods. International relief agencies emphasized that any ceasefire would need to include guaranteed access for aid convoys and protections for civilians in the densely populated enclave. The war’s human cost and the risk of further escalation in the region remain central to any potential diplomatic resolution, with senior officials expressing cautious optimism that talks could move forward if violence subsides.
The day’s events reflect a war in its fifth year that has drawn in regional actors and international mediators, while each side accuses the other of violations that could escalate further. Officials stressed that verification of casualty figures and the precise extent of damage in Gaza requires access for independent observers and journalists, a demand that has been repeatedly frustrated by security concerns and the ongoing fighting. As the conflict persists, the international community continues to urge restraint and an immediate path toward a political solution that can prevent further loss of life and stabilizes the region.
In Gaza, residents began to salvage what remained of their homes and businesses, while the international community monitored developments with growing concern about the prospects for a ceasefire and the potential for further escalation. The Israeli government said its objective remains to degrade what it describes as terrorist infrastructure and to deter future attacks on Israeli cities, a stance that has drawn mixed reactions from world powers and regional neighbors who fear a broader regional conflict if fighting continues unchecked. The coming days could determine whether diplomacy can supplant ongoing military operation as international interest centers on de-escalation and humanitarian relief.