The Israeli occupation has escalated its relentless assault on the Gaza Strip, targeting densely populated civilian areas amid a near-total internet blackout across central and southern regions.

On Sunday evening, at least 15 Palestinians were martyred when an Israeli airstrike struck a residential building on al-Nakheel Street in the al-Tuffah neighborhood of eastern Gaza City, according to Al Mayadeen's correspondent.

The violence stretched across the Strip; in the north, Israeli artillery shelled the vicinity of Muscat School in Beit Lahia and struck a home northeast of al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza.

In the south, a civilian was wounded in an Israeli attack near Abu Nuweira School in New Abasan, east of Khan Younis. Warplanes carried out multiple raids on the nearby town of Khuzaa, while artillery targeted the al-Farahin neighborhood. Another home was bombed in Qizan al-Najjar, and Israeli forces conducted demolition operations in northern Rafah.

Earlier in the day, at least 22 more civilians, including women and children, were killed in separate attacks. Hospitals in Gaza received a total of 40 martyrs and 125 wounded in the past 24 hours alone, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

Expanded war

The attacks come as the Israeli military leadership signals a new phase of aggression. During a visit to Shayetet 13 naval commandos, Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir announced an expanded military campaign aimed at "defeating Hamas" and securing the release of captives.

"This week, we are sending tens of thousands of orders to our reserve personnel to intensify and expand our action in Gaza," Zamir stated, vowing to eliminate what he described as Hamas' remaining military infrastructure.

Read more: Israeli forces call up 60,000 reservists to expand war on Gaza

Humanitarian agencies warn that Gaza's healthcare and food systems are on the brink of collapse. The Kuwait Specialized Hospital in Rafah reported a critical shortage of more than 75% of essential medical supplies, warning that stocks could be depleted within a week.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme confirmed its food reserves in the Strip have been exhausted, with no deliveries possible due to the continued closure of all border crossings.

Since October 7, 2023, "Israel's" war on Gaza has killed 52,535 Palestinians and injured 118,491 others. 

As diplomatic efforts stall and humanitarian conditions deteriorate, the people of Gaza continue to endure one of the most devastating and protracted assaults in modern history.