Jerusalem, LOGIC.co.id – The latest airstrike launched by Israel on the Gaza Strip has once again claimed lives. At least 58 Palestinians were reported dead in overnight air raids, according to local health authorities on Saturday (May 18). This marks a major escalation toward a possible new ground assault by the Israeli military.
Since Thursday, over 300 Gaza residents have died due to Israeli air bombardments, making it one of the deadliest periods since the ceasefire collapsed last March.
"Since midnight, we have received 58 bodies. Many other victims are still buried under rubble. The situation in hospitals is dire," said Marwan Al-Sultan, Director of the Indonesian Hospital in Northern Gaza.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military stated that it is launching a large-scale offensive and is mobilizing ground troops as part of preparations to expand military operations in Gaza. The operation aims to achieve "operational control" over several Palestinian enclaves.
This offensive step is part of the initial phase of "Operation Gideon Cart," which according to Israel, aims to cripple Hamas and free hostages still being held.
An Israeli defense official previously mentioned that the large-scale operation would not begin until U.S. President Donald Trump completed his diplomatic visit to the Middle East, which ended on Friday (May 17). However, the visit did not appear to make significant progress in advancing a new ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has warned that Gaza is now on the brink of famine following a blockade of humanitarian aid by Israel for more than 76 days. The UN’s head of humanitarian aid, Tom Fletcher, even questioned whether the UN Security Council would act to "prevent genocide."
President Trump acknowledged the worsening hunger crisis in Gaza and stressed the importance of aid delivery amid growing international pressure on Israel to reopen aid routes and resume ceasefire negotiations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier stated that his government was planning a large-scale military operation against Hamas. The plan was approved by Israel's security cabinet and includes options to take over the entire Gaza Strip and control humanitarian aid distribution there.
Israel declared its primary goal is to destroy Hamas’s military capabilities and governing structures. The group is held responsible for attacks on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in approximately 250 Israelis being taken hostage.
The conflict has caused massive destruction in the densely populated Gaza Strip. According to local health authorities, more than 53,000 Palestinians have died, and nearly the entire population has been forced to flee their homes.