Escalating Tensions: Israeli Strikes Kill Four in Southern Gaza Amidst West Bank Arrests

Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in southern Gaza on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least four Palestinians near Khan Younis, according to Al Jazeera. This latest escalation follows a day of intense Israeli military activity across the Gaza Strip, which reportedly killed dozens of people. The attacks underscore the fragile nature of the ongoing ceasefire in the region, which commenced on October 10.

The specific strikes on Thursday targeted the Bani Suheila area, east of Khan Younis, where three Palestinians were killed in a house, as reported by the enclave's Civil Defence. Separately, another man was killed in Abasan al-Kabira, also east of Khan Younis, according to Al Jazeera's colleagues on the ground. These incidents contribute to a rising death toll in the embattled territory.

Concurrently, Israeli forces launched a widespread mass arrest campaign in the Hebron governorate for the second consecutive day, as reported by Al Jazeera. Dozens of individuals were detained, primarily in the town of Beit Ummar, and numerous homes were raided and properties destroyed during these operations. The Wafa news agency confirmed that 56 Palestinians, including two women, were detained on Thursday alone.

The arrests in Hebron involved rounding up people in a local stadium and subjecting them to field interrogations, according to wafa. Sada News Agency further detailed that Israeli forces stormed several areas, including Wadi al-Hariya and Khirbet Qalqas, raiding homes and turning some into military outposts. These actions have significantly impacted residents' daily lives and security.

The ongoing conflict has led to a devastating human cost in Gaza since October 2023. The Gaza Health Ministry reported on November 19, 2025, that at least 69,513 Palestinians have been killed and 170,745 injured. UNRWA, citing the Ministry of Health, stated that almost 70,000 Palestinians were killed and over 170,000 injured between October 2023 and mid-November 2025.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains extremely dire, exacerbated by recent heavy rains and insufficient aid, according to un officials. Fifty-one countries, including the UK and China, have urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to provide urgent and long-term assistance to alleviate the crisis, wafa reported on Thursday. This international call highlights the severe challenges faced by the civilian population.

• Fragile Ceasefire and Renewed Hostilities: A ceasefire, which began on October 10, 2025, has been repeatedly challenged by renewed hostilities. The Israeli military stated that recent airstrikes were often in response to gunfire directed at Israeli soldiers, particularly in southern Gaza near Khan Younis, as reported by Xinhua and The Times of Israel. This cycle of action and retaliation continues to undermine efforts for lasting peace and stability in the region.

• Casualties Mount Across Gaza: Beyond the four deaths reported on Thursday, broader Israeli strikes across Gaza on Wednesday, November 19, resulted in a significantly higher death toll. Xinhua reported that at least 25 Palestinians were killed in these strikes, with 12 fatalities occurring in Khan Younis alone. CBS News also confirmed at least 21 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on Wednesday, affecting areas like Gaza City, Khan Younis, and the Muwasi displacement camp.

• Extensive Arrest Operations in West Bank: The mass arrest campaign in the Hebron governorate, particularly in Beit Ummar, has seen Israeli forces detain dozens of Palestinians, including women, and raid numerous homes. wafa reported that 56 individuals were detained on Thursday, with many held in a local stadium for interrogation. Sada News Agency added that these raids involved property destruction and the imposition of tight movement restrictions, turning some homes into military outposts.

• Staggering Cumulative Death Toll: The conflict's toll since October 2023 is immense, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting nearly 70,000 Palestinians killed and over 170,000 injured by mid-November 2025. This figure includes a substantial number of children and women, with some estimates suggesting that 80% of Palestinian fatalities are civilians, according to wikipedia. The sheer scale of casualties underscores the profound impact on the civilian population.

• Worsening Humanitarian Crisis: The humanitarian situation in Gaza is critical, with recent heavy rains causing severe flooding that affected over 13,000 households and damaged thousands of tents, as highlighted by OCHA. UNICEF reported that shelter supplies, including tents and bedding items, are far below what is needed, despite a six-month ban on such items being lifted in September. The lack of adequate sanitation and the risk of disease further compound the crisis, according to un News.

• International Appeals for Aid: The severity of the humanitarian crisis has prompted international concern. wafa reported that 51 countries have collectively called on the IAEA to provide both urgent and long-term assistance to Palestine, specifically to address the dire conditions in Gaza. This appeal emphasizes the need for international cooperation to mitigate the suffering and provide essential resources to the affected population.

• Impact on Displaced Populations: The ongoing conflict and humanitarian challenges disproportionately affect displaced Palestinians. OCHA estimates that approximately 1 million people, out of Gaza's 2.1 million population, reside in 862 displacement sites. Many have sought refuge in UNRWA schools-turned-shelters, facing increasingly difficult conditions as winter approaches and aid remains insufficient, according to unrwa reports.