This story at a glance…

1. Israeli strikes killed 33 in Gaza, including 12 from one family in Jabalia.

2. Kamal Adwan Hospital is overwhelmed, bombarded, and running out of resources.

3. Residents accuse Israel of displacing communities; nearly 44,000 have died in the conflict.

4. Ceasefire talks have stalled, leaving millions in Gaza trapped in a humanitarian crisis.

Gaza Airstrikes Kill 33, Overwhelm Hospitals 

At least 33 lives were lost in Gaza on Wednesday as Israeli forces deepened their military operations in the region’s northern areas. A relentless series of airstrikes targeted homes and infrastructure, leaving communities in devastation. Among the dead were 12 people killed in a single strike on a home in Jabalia, with rescue teams scrambling to locate at least ten more believed to be buried in the rubble.

Hospitals Struggle Amid Crisis
One of Gaza’s remaining hospitals, Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, has reached a breaking point. Hospital director Hussam Abu Safiya reported that the facility came under direct fire on Tuesday as staff worked in the intensive care unit. Supplies are critically low, medical personnel have been detained, and access for humanitarian aid has been blocked.

“Food and water are not allowed to enter, and not even a single ambulance is permitted access,” said Abu Safiya to Reuters. Among the 85 patients currently at the hospital, some suffer from malnutrition, others from injuries that would be treatable if supplies and personnel were available. Heartbreakingly, a man recently died of dehydration due to the ongoing blockade.

Communities Shattered
The northern towns of Jabalia, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya have been the focus of Israel’s military campaign, with dozens of homes reduced to rubble. Residents have accused Israel of trying to depopulate the area to create a buffer zone, but Israeli officials deny these claims.

The toll on Gaza’s population is staggering. The 13-month conflict has killed nearly 44,000 people and displaced nearly all residents at least once. Civilian rescue teams have not been spared, with 87 workers killed since the start of the conflict. On Wednesday, one member of the Palestinian civil emergency service was killed, and three others were injured during a rescue operation in Sabra, a suburb of Gaza City.

In southern Gaza, strikes have also claimed lives. In Rafah, three men were killed in two separate airstrikes, adding to the ever-growing tally of grief and loss.

Stalemate in Diplomacy
Efforts to mediate peace remain stalled. Qatar, a key mediator, has paused negotiations as both sides hold firmly to their demands. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to eradicating Hamas, vowing that the group would no longer rule Gaza. Hamas, however, has called for an end to the war, a condition that Israel rejects without the complete dismantling of the group’s operations.

As the conflict drags on, hostages taken by Hamas remain a focal point for Israel. Netanyahu has offered a $5 million reward for the return of each hostage, but the resolution remains elusive.

Reflection
The weight of this tragedy echoes the words of Isaiah 1:17: “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” May God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding, bring comfort to the brokenhearted and guide leaders toward a just and lasting peace. Let us cling to the hope that love and mercy will prevail.