At least 49 Palestinians were killed on Monday in a wave of Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire targeting various areas across the Gaza Strip, according to the Civil Defense agency in the besieged enclave.

Local reports described a day of widespread devastation as Israeli forces intensified attacks from the air and ground, hitting densely populated areas including homes, schools used as shelters, public gatherings, and aid distribution sites.

Among the dead were five people killed in an airstrike on a crowd in al-Shati refugee camp, located west of Gaza City. Another four civilians lost their lives in a similar strike in the northern town of Jabalia, according to Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal.

Tragedy struck Gaza City's southern Zeitoun district where 15 people, including a woman, were killed when Israeli drones opened fire near an aid distribution point. In Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Strip, rescue teams recovered the bodies of 10 people killed by Israeli bombardment.

Basal also reported that at least 15 more civilians died while waiting for humanitarian assistance near two U.S.-backed aid distribution centers in central and southern Gaza, underscoring the growing risk to Palestinians even during efforts to secure basic necessities.

Eyewitnesses and Palestinian security sources confirmed that Israeli artillery barrages had been ongoing since the early hours of the morning, targeting the eastern, northern, and southern outskirts of Gaza City. Ground forces reportedly advanced into Zeitoun and Tuffah neighborhoods under cover of heavy fire, prompting mass displacement of residents.

The death toll from the latest escalation adds to the already staggering human cost of the ongoing war. Gaza’s health authorities reported Sunday that at least 6,175 Palestinians have been killed and 21,378 others wounded since Israel resumed large-scale operations on March 18. This brings the overall toll since the war began in October 2023 to 56,531 dead and 133,642 injured.

The intensifying offensive comes amid growing international concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where millions remain under siege and risk of famine continues to mount. (ILKHA)