The death toll from Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip has surged to **81**, according to hospital officials on Wednesday. This increase follows a night of heavy bombardment that has drawn widespread condemnation and raised concerns about the fragile ceasefire in the region. The **Shifa Hospital** in Gaza City reported receiving **21** additional bodies, including **seven** women and **six** children, as the humanitarian crisis deepens.
The situation escalated as Israeli military operations intensified overnight, with Prime Minister **Benjamin Netanyahu** ordering “powerful strikes” in response to reported violations of the ceasefire by Hamas. Hospital director **Mohammed Abu Selmia** warned that the death toll could rise further, as many of the **45** injured patients admitted were in critical condition, among them **20** children.
Ceasefire Tensions Heighten
The Israeli military announced that a ceasefire remained in effect despite the strikes, asserting that they would respond firmly to any violations. The declaration came after accusations from Netanyahu that Hamas had breached the agreement by delaying the return of hostages and engaging in hostile actions. U.S. President **Donald Trump**, currently on a diplomatic trip to Asia, expressed support for Israel’s actions, describing them as justified in light of recent hostilities, including the reported killing of an Israeli soldier during a skirmish in **Rafah**.
Hamas has denied involvement in the shooting incident and accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire. The organization stated that the Israeli airstrikes represent a blatant violation of the agreement, calling for international mediators to intervene.
Impact on Civilians and Healthcare
The humanitarian toll on civilians has been severe. Hospitals across Gaza, including **Aqsa Hospital**, **Nasser Hospital**, and **Al-Awda Hospital**, have reported receiving an influx of casualties. The **Aqsa Hospital** in Deir al-Balah received at least **10** bodies, while the **Nasser Hospital** reported **20** fatalities, with **13** identified as children. In total, **30** bodies were reported at the **Al-Awda Hospital**, including **14** children.
Ambulances and trucks filled with bodies overwhelmed hospital entrances. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences. One woman outside a hospital, visibly shaken, expressed her anguish: “They struck right next to us, and we saw all the rubble on top of us and our young ones.”
The ceasefire, which began on **October 10**, is under significant strain as both sides accuse each other of transgressions. Displaced Palestinians, struggling to recover from the violence, found the body of a small child amidst the rubble of their destroyed homes, highlighting the human cost of the ongoing conflict.
As the international community watches closely, the future of the ceasefire remains uncertain, with fears that further escalation could lead to even greater loss of life.
