Israeli military says struck 35 sites in Gaza

IANS April 14, 2025 197 views

The Israeli military has intensified its offensive in Gaza, striking 35 strategic sites including weapons facilities and tunnel networks. Gaza health authorities report the death toll from recent attacks has reached 1,613, with total casualties since October 2023 now at 50,983. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz signaled potential expansion of military operations across the Gaza Strip. The conflict continues with humanitarian aid still blocked and tensions escalating between Israeli forces and Hamas militants.

"This is the last moment to remove Hamas, release all the Israeli hostages, and bring an end to the war" - Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz
Jerusalem, April 14: The Israeli military said Monday it launched a new wave of strikes across the Gaza Strip, hitting about 35 targets, while Gaza health authorities said the death toll from renewed Israeli attacks had reached 1,613.

Key Points

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Israeli military hits 35 targets across Gaza Strip

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Palestinian death toll reaches 1,613 in recent attacks

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Israel destroys Hamas weapons cache and tunnel routes

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Humanitarian aid remains blocked since March

Among the sites hit were a weapons manufacturing facility in southern Gaza and a launch site containing rocket launchers aimed at Israeli territory, the military said in a statement.

In northern Gaza, Israeli soldiers identified an "ambush" of militants several hundred metres from their position, opened fire, and eliminated the "terrorists" in coordination with the Israeli Air Force, the military added.

It did not specify the location of the incident or the number of fatalities.

In southern Gaza's Rafah, where Israel has completed construction of a new "security zone" cutting off the city, Israeli troops destroyed a 20-metre-deep, several-hundred-metre-long tunnel route, the military said.

The tunnel had been used as "a gathering place for Hamas terrorists" and connected several tunnel routes in the area, it said.

Elsewhere in Gaza, Israeli troops located a Hamas weapons cache, including mortars, hand grenades, and explosives, according to the statement, Xinhua news agency reported.

Israel has blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 2. It then ended a two-month ceasefire with Hamas on March 18 and resumed deadly air and ground assaults on the enclave.

The renewed Israeli attacks have so far killed 1,613 Palestinians and injured 4,233 others, Gaza health authorities said Monday, adding that the death toll in the enclave since the war began in October 2023 has risen to 50,983, with 116,274 injured.

Last week, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Israel will soon expand its operations to most of the Gaza Strip territory.

He told Gaza residents in a message that they have to evacuate due to the expected operations.

"For those who are interested, voluntary crossing to several countries will also be possible" under Washington's plan, which Israel is "working to implement," Katz said, referring to US President Donald Trump's controversial relocation proposal for Gaza residents.

"This is the last moment to remove Hamas, release all the Israeli hostages, and bring an end to the war," Katz remarked.

Reader Comments

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Sarah K.
This is heartbreaking to read. The civilian casualties are staggering. There has to be a better way to handle this conflict than constant military escalation. My thoughts are with all affected families.
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Michael T.
While I understand Israel's security concerns, blocking humanitarian aid entirely seems counterproductive. Starving civilians won't defeat Hamas - it just creates more suffering and resentment. 🤔
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Aisha R.
The numbers are devastating. 50,983 lives lost... when will this end? Every day I pray for peace but it feels so far away. 😔
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David L.
The tunnel networks and weapons caches show how entrenched Hamas is in civilian areas. This is exactly why Israel has to take these measures - they're targeting military infrastructure, not civilians.
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Jamal P.
That relocation proposal sounds concerning. Where exactly are people supposed to go? This whole situation keeps getting more complicated by the day.
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Emily S.
I wish the article had more context about what led to this latest escalation. Understanding both sides is crucial for any meaningful discussion about solutions.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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Tags:
Israel-Gaza War Gaza Conflict Hamas Israeli Military Palestinian Casualties Israel Defense Forces
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