JERUSALEM/CAIRO, May 17, 2025 — At least 146 Palestinians were killed in Gaza in the space of 24 hours by Israeli strikes, according to local health officials. The death toll, one of the highest since the end of the truce in March, comes as Israel prepares to expand its ground offensive against the Palestinian enclave, part of Operation Gideon's Chariots.
The Israeli airstrikes, which also injured 459 people, targeted several densely populated areas, including the town of Beit Lahia and the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. According to Marwan Al-Sultan, director of the Indonesian hospital, the situation in medical facilities is "catastrophic," with many bodies still trapped under the rubble.
The Israeli army confirmed on Saturday that it was conducting massive airstrikes and deploying troops along the border, stating its intention to establish "operational control" in parts of Hamas-held territory. The escalation comes as US President Donald Trump concluded a Middle East tour without any tangible progress toward a ceasefire.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on May 5 a broader offensive aimed at "eliminating Hamas's military and governmental capabilities" and regaining control of the entire Gaza Strip, including humanitarian aid. Israel has maintained a strict blockade of the territory for 76 days, blocking access to all humanitarian aid according to the UN, while more than 53,000 Palestinians are reported to have lost their lives since October 2023.
The humanitarian crisis is worsening: the UN is warning of an imminent risk of famine, and its humanitarian aid chief, Tom Fletcher, recently urged the Security Council to "act to prevent genocide." Washington is supporting a private initiative to deliver aid through a US foundation, but it is being rejected by the UN for lack of impartiality.
In this context, NBC News revealed that the Trump administration is considering relocating up to one million Palestinians from Gaza to Libya in exchange for the release of frozen funds for Tripoli—a plan immediately rejected by Palestinian leaders, both Hamas and Mahmoud Abbas's Authority, who denounce any attempt to move people out of their territory.
