Israel Continues Gaza Bombardment Despite US Critique on Civilian Casualties

### Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill Dozens Amid Ongoing Conflict

On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes in southern Gaza resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians, including three Syrian children, despite renewed U.S. criticism over the high civilian casualties.

Gaza civil defense spokesperson Mahmud Bassal reported that the three airstrikes within an hour killed at least 44 people and injured many more. Israel confirmed conducting two of these strikes.

According to the Gaza health ministry, one strike on a fuel station in Al-Mawasi killed 17 people, while the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that another strike hit the UN-run Al-Razi School in the Nuseirat refugee camp, killing five. A third strike targeted a gathering near a roundabout in northern Gaza, although specific casualty details were not provided.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed Washington’s “serious concern” to senior Israeli officials about the high civilian death toll. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller noted that while civilian casualties have decreased from earlier in the conflict, they remain unacceptably high.

The U.S. has been advocating for a truce between Israel and Hamas. A senior Hamas official announced on Sunday that the group had withdrawn from indirect talks due to Israeli “massacres,” including a significant strike that reportedly killed at least 92 people. The official stated that Hamas would resume talks when Israel shows a genuine commitment to a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal.

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to increase pressure on Hamas to achieve all war objectives and secure the release of hostages.

The Israeli military reported hitting around 40 “terror targets” in Gaza, including sniping posts, observation posts, Hamas military structures, and buildings rigged with explosives. Ground troops continued targeted raids in Rafah and central Gaza.

The U.N. humanitarian office (OCHA) reported that multiple strikes across Gaza on Tuesday resulted in dozens of casualties. The conflict began with Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, which led to 1,195 deaths, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures. Hamas militants also took 251 hostages, with 116 still in Gaza, including 42 that the Israeli military believes are dead.

Israel’s military offensive has killed at least 38,713 people, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry. Additionally, Israel has detained many Gazans, who have reported torture and abuse in custody, claims that Israeli authorities deny.

Palestinian lawyer Khaled Mahajna reported that prisoners recounted severe abuses, including the use of electric prods and other forms of torture.

The war has caused mass displacement, with 90% of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents forced to flee their homes. Many have sought refuge in U.N.-run schools, seven of which have been hit by Israeli strikes since July 6.

Indirect ceasefire talks, mediated by Qatar and Egypt with U.S. support, have yet to yield a breakthrough. Despite U.S. President Joe Biden outlining a ceasefire roadmap in May, progress remains elusive.

The conflict has also sparked domestic unrest in Israel, with ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters clashing with police over new draft notices for men in their community. Historically exempt from military service, these seminary students are now being called up as the conflict strains Israel’s resources.