Israel kills 41 Palestinians in new Gaza strikes, vows to relocate entire population

As international condemnation grows, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu releases video message declaring that population of Gaza will be moved

GAZA, Palestine (MNTV) – At least 41 Palestinians, including children and women, were killed in a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes across Gaza since dawn Monday.

Israel intensified its assault on the besieged enclave and announced controversial plans to forcibly relocate Gaza’s entire population.

Health authorities in Gaza reported multiple strikes in densely populated civilian areas, including a deadly attack on a café in Gaza City’s Shejaiya neighbourhood, which killed four people and wounded six more.

A Palestinian boy was killed in a drone strike in Sheikh Radwan. Another airstrike on a residential apartment in Al-Karama left 15 dead and at least 10 injured.

In Beit Lahia, two separate Israeli airstrikes killed six people and injured several others.

In the southern city of Khan Younis, two more were killed, while another civilian died in eastern Jabalia.

The death toll continues to climb as rescue operations struggle to reach survivors trapped under rubble.

Adding to international outrage, a viral video surfaced on Monday showing Israeli soldiers using the destruction of a Gaza residential building as part of a grotesque gender reveal stunt.

The footage, shared on social media by the soldiers themselves, showed a building exploding into blue smoke with celebratory laughter in the background—signifying a baby boy.

As international condemnation grows, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video message declaring that the population of Gaza “will be moved, for its own protection.”

The statement was made following a cabinet-approved plan to expand Israel’s military operations and take control of aid distribution in the territory.

The Israeli military has called up tens of thousands of reservists, with officials suggesting a shift in strategy—from temporary raids to holding captured territories indefinitely.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed that Israel has no intention of withdrawing from any of the areas under its control, even in exchange for Israeli hostages.

This plan has sparked a fierce backlash from families of prisoners held by Hamas.

They accuse the government of prioritising territorial occupation over the safe return of prisoners.

“This is a war of revenge and occupation, not a war to save lives,” said Anat Angrest, mother of prisoner soldier Matan Angrest.

Meanwhile, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly warned Netanyahu that the expansion of the offensive could jeopardise the lives of Israeli hostages.

“You must consider that a full-scale ground maneuver might result in the loss of the hostages,” he was quoted as saying.

The rising humanitarian toll

According to Health Ministry, Israel’s ongoing war has killed at least 52,567 Palestinians and wounded over 118,000 since the war began in October 2023.

The Government Media Office puts the death toll at over 61,700, stating thousands more are presumed dead under collapsed buildings. Women and children constitute nearly 65% of the victims.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Israel also faces genocide charges at the International Court of Justice.

As famine looms, and aid supplies dwindle due to Israel’s blockade, the UN and humanitarian organisations continue to warn of an impending catastrophe.

Yet, Israel’s cabinet insists on further escalation—without a clear post-war plan for Gaza’s 2.3 million people, most of whom are already displaced and entirely dependent on international aid.

Hamas, for its part, has vowed to resist the occupation and rejects any deal that would require disarmament or surrender.

It accuses Israel of using humanitarian crisis as leverage for long-term territorial gains.

The war, already one of the bloodiest in recent history, shows no signs of slowing—leaving Gaza’s civilians, including countless children, caught in the crossfire of geopolitics and military strategy.