100 Dead as Israel Launches New Offensive in Gaza

The Israeli military launched a major new offensive in Gaza on Saturday, with civil defence teams reporting at least 100 people killed during widespread airstrikes across the besieged territory.

The operation, named Gideon’s Chariots, is part of what the military described as an expanded campaign to achieve “all the war’s objectives,” including the release of remaining hostages and the elimination of Hamas. Troops have been mobilised to establish operational control in parts of Gaza, according to official statements.

The latest escalation follows the resumption of hostilities on 18 March, ending a two-month truce. The renewed offensive has already seen over 150 targets struck across Gaza in the past 24 hours.

Since the resumption of strikes, 2,985 people have been killed in Gaza, bringing the overall death toll to 53,119, according to health authorities in the territory.

Pressure is mounting on Israeli leaders to ease the ongoing aid blockade, amid warnings of severe shortages of food, clean water, fuel, and medical supplies. Humanitarian groups have voiced alarm over the deteriorating situation, while international condemnation of the renewed strikes has intensified.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights criticised the scale and intensity of the attacks, suggesting they may be part of an attempt to permanently alter Gaza’s demographics — a move described as contrary to international law and tantamount to ethnic cleansing.

Within Israel, the main organisation representing families of hostages expressed frustration, accusing the government of missing a critical diplomatic opportunity to secure the captives’ release.

Hamas has urged the United States to pressure Israel into opening aid crossings. The demand followed the release of Edan Alexander, the last known living hostage with US citizenship, who was freed last week through direct negotiations that reportedly sidelined Israeli officials.

A senior Hamas official said the group now expects the US administration to take further action to ensure the immediate entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

Israeli officials have maintained that the aid restrictions are a strategic move intended to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining hostages. Of the 251 people abducted on 7 October 2023, 57 are still believed to be in Gaza, including 34 who are presumed dead.

During a visit to Abu Dhabi on Friday, the US president acknowledged the crisis, saying, “A lot of people are starving in Gaza. We’re going to get that taken care of.”

Meanwhile, the Arab League is scheduled to meet in Baghdad on Saturday, with Gaza expected to dominate the agenda. The UN Secretary-General and the Prime Minister of Spain, a strong critic of the ongoing offensive, are both expected to address the summit.