Israel Resumes Airstrikes... At Least 470 Deaths in Gaza Strip

Israel has resumed large-scale airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. The death toll is snowballing, reaching at least 470 casualties.

According to AFP and other foreign media outlets on the 19th (local time), Gaza's Civil Defense Department reported that at least 470 people have died since Israel resumed large-scale airstrikes from the night of the 17th through the 18th.

Overnight, the Israeli military struck Hamas military bases in northern Gaza and vessels along the Gaza coast linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a Hamas-affiliated armed group. Airstrikes also continued targeting Hamas vehicles and outposts in southern Gaza.

Israel has also resumed ground military operations against Hamas. It issued a "final warning" to Gaza residents, demanding the return of Israeli hostages and the expulsion of Hamas.

As Israeli attacks continue, an entire family of 14 perished in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. UN staff conducting relief operations also suffered casualties. The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) announced that one Bulgarian employee died and five were injured while conducting relief work in a building in the Deir al-Balah area in central Gaza.

As Israel resumes massive attacks in Gaza, fear is growing among residents. Fred Ulla, head of the Red Cross field hospital in Rafah in southern Gaza, reported that the relatively calm atmosphere of the past two months has been shattered by Israel's renewed attacks.

Israel, while investigating the incident, denied responsibility. An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "We mourn the death of a UN employee of Bulgarian nationality in the Gaza Strip today," adding, "We are investigating the circumstances of the incident." The spokesperson emphasized, "Initial investigations found no connection to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) activities."

Lee Songryeol, Hankyung.com reporter yisr0203@hankyung.com