Israel-Hamas Conflict: Rising Death Toll and Fear in Gaza

Israel has intensified its airstrikes in Gaza, with the Israeli military reporting over 400 targets struck in the past 24 hours. Palestinian officials say that hundreds of people have been killed, including at least 704 in a single day, as Israel faces pressure to delay a ground invasion. The toll in Gaza since October 7 has risen to over 5,700, with nearly half of them children. The international community, including France and Arab countries, is calling for an immediate ceasefire and the end of the blockade in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that at least 33 American citizens were among the 1,400 people killed by Hamas on October 7. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, called for a humanitarian ceasefire and criticized the collective punishment of Palestinian civilians.