Israeli airstrikes pounded the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on May 16, 2025, killing at least 38 people and injuring dozens, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The deadly barrage targeted residential areas and struck near the Kamal Adwan Hospital, which was also raided by Israeli forces, intensifying the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The attacks mark a significant escalation in southern Gaza, a region already grappling with severe humanitarian challenges.
The strikes hit densely populated neighborhoods, with eyewitnesses reporting widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure. The Gaza Health Ministry condemned the assault, stating that many victims were civilians, including women and children. The raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few remaining medical facilities in the area, disrupted critical healthcare services, with reports of patients and staff being evacuated under chaotic conditions. Hamas, which governs Gaza, accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, while the Israeli military claimed the strikes were aimed at Hamas operatives hiding in the area.
The violence comes amid Israel’s broader military campaign in Gaza, which has seen intensified operations following Hamas-led attacks. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the Khan Younis strikes targeted “Hamas command and control centers,” though no evidence was provided to substantiate the claim. The IDF also defended the hospital raid, alleging it was a hideout for “dozens of terrorists,” a charge denied by both Hamas and hospital officials.
The conflict has displaced over 1.5 million Gazans, with southern areas like Khan Younis becoming overcrowded refuges for those fleeing northern Gaza. Humanitarian conditions are dire, with the United Nations reporting that virtually no aid has reached the region since early October 2024. The strikes have further strained Gaza’s collapsing healthcare system, with hospitals overwhelmed and lacking basic supplies. Local medics described scenes of devastation, with rescue efforts hampered by ongoing bombardment and a lack of telecommunications.
The international community has expressed alarm over the rising civilian toll. The UN Human Rights Office called for a transparent investigation into the strikes, labeling them among the deadliest in recent months. Meanwhile, efforts to broker a ceasefire remain stalled, with both Israel and Hamas rejecting proposals over disagreements on terms for hostage releases and troop withdrawals. Egypt and Qatar, key mediators, have reported little progress in negotiations.
The Khan Younis assault follows a pattern of intensified Israeli operations across Gaza, with recent strikes in northern areas like Jabalia killing dozens. Hamas has responded with sporadic rocket fire into Israel, though most are intercepted by the Iron Dome system. The conflict, now in its 20th month since the October 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,300 Israelis, shows no signs of abating, with both sides entrenched in their positions.
As Gaza reels from the latest violence, the humanitarian crisis deepens, with food, water, and medical supplies critically low. The international community faces mounting pressure to address the escalating toll, but prospects for peace remain dim as the cycle of retaliation continues to claim lives on both sides.
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