Israel-Palestine Conflict: Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 53,000 as Israel Pursues

Israel-Palestine Conflict: Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 53,000 as Israel Pursues 'Conquest': Israel has escalated its bombardment of Gaza, adhering to a plan for "conquest," as former President Trump's Middle East tour comes to a close.

TOPSHOT: – Palestinians seek shelter as an Israeli strike targets the home of the Hmeid family in Jabalia, located in the northern Gaza Strip, on May 15, 2025. Ongoing conflicts in Gaza have led to significant casualties, with civil defense officials reporting 80 deaths from Israeli bombardments on May 14, including 59 in the northern region.

Reports indicate that hundreds have been killed in Gaza due to intensified airstrikes from Israel. Health officials informed Al Jazeera that at least 100 individuals died from Israeli attacks on Friday, with many more feared trapped under debris. This latest loss adds to the 143 fatalities reported the day before, raising the total death toll in the Palestinian territory to over 53,000 since Israel launched its offensive in October 2023, triggered by a Hamas attack that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and around 250 captives. Hamas has urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for what it labels a "barbaric escalation." The Israeli military has not issued a statement regarding the strikes. Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to intensifying military actions aimed at dismantling Hamas, the governing armed group in Gaza. This follows an announcement last week indicating that military operations would escalate if Hamas did not reach an agreement to release remaining captives by the end of Trump's Middle East tour.

Trump's four-day visit, which excluded stops in Israel or Palestine, was set to conclude on Friday. There had been hopes that the trip might facilitate a ceasefire or renewal of humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the ongoing Israeli blockade has persisted for three months. However, Israeli officials indicated last week that plans could involve the "conquest" and complete military occupation of the Gaza Strip, with suggestions of potentially relocating Palestinians from the territory—a point Trump has also raised. According to Gaza's Ministry of Health, Israel's military actions have claimed the lives of at least 53,010 Palestinians and injured 119,919. The Gaza Government Media Office has updated the death toll to over 61,700, asserting that thousands more missing under rubble are presumed deceased. 'Not for Sale': Since March 2, Israel has suspended the entry of food, medicine, and other vital supplies into Gaza, stating that the blockade and military pressure aim to compel Hamas to release the remaining captives. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim reiterated on Thursday that the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza is essential for any negotiations with Israel.

"Access to food, water, and medicine is a fundamental human right—it's not up for negotiation," he emphasized. The U.S. and Israel are reportedly formulating a plan to allow humanitarian aid to resume via a non-governmental organization while ensuring that supplies do not reach Hamas. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation announced plans to start distributing aid this month. However, the United Nations and other aid organizations have distanced themselves from this initiative, citing concerns over maintaining the impartiality and independence of aid operations. Nevertheless, the U.S. appears determined to increase its involvement in Gaza, as Trump stated during his visit to the region. While speaking in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, he noted, "We're looking at Gaza. We're going to address that situation. A lot of people are in desperate need." The day prior, he repeated an idea to have the U.S. take control of Gaza and relocate Palestinians from the region. "I have concepts for Gaza that I think are very good ... let the United States get involved and create a freedom zone," he remarked, expressing pride in the prospect of the U.S. assuming control and transforming it into a "freedom zone." These comments echo a widely criticized proposal he made in February to have the

U.S. "take over" the devastated area and redevelop it into "the Riviera of the Middle East." In response, Hamas official Naim affirmed, "The territory is not for sale. Gaza is an integral part of Palestinian land. It is not real estate available on the market.
Al- Jazeera