Israel-Palestine conflict escalates, Death toll rises to over 50

The deadly exchange of fire between Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli military has escalated significantly. At least 43 Palestinians and six Israelis have been killed since Monday.

 

An Indian woman was also killed in a rocket attack in the Israeli city of Ashkelon yesterday. She was identified as Soumya, a native of Kanjikuzhy Panchayat in Kerala’s Idukki district.

 

According to media reports, Israel carried out hundreds of air strikes in Gaza today and Palestinian militants fired multiple rocket barrages at Tel Aviv and the southern city of Beersheba.

 

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said, attacks on Palestinian militant groups in Gaza would continue until they bring total,



long-term quiet and that such military action would preclude any ceasefire agreement.

 

In Gaza, the streets are full of rubble where buildings have collapsed and cars are crushed or burned from Israeli air strikes. Israeli Arabs have also staged violent protests in a number of Israeli towns. Lod near Tel Aviv has been put under a state of emergency.

 

The international community has urged both sides to end the escalation, amid concerns it could spiral out of control. The UN's Middle East peace envoy, Tor Wennesland, said the sides were escalating towards a full-scale war.

 

UN Secretary General António Guterres said he was gravely concerned by the ongoing violence.