On Monday, Day 56 since the resumption of the genocide in Gaza, the Israeli army fired barrages of missiles and shells at various parts of the devastated, starved, and besieged coastal enclave, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians, including children.
In Jabalia town, in northern Gaza, the army targeted Fatima Bint Asad School, where dozens of displaced families are sheltering, with a missile strike aimed at the school’s second floor, killing at least fifteen Palestinians, including five children, and wounding dozens.
In central Gaza, the army fired missiles at Hammad Al-Hasanat Mosque, in the western part of the Nuseirat refugee camp, destroying the holy site and several surrounding homes, resulting in numerous casualties, including children and women.
The army also launched numerous artillery shells at several areas in the eastern section of Al-Bureij refugee camp, in central Gaza.
Additionally, Israeli forces wired explosives and detonated several Palestinian homes in the eastern areas of Tuffah neighborhood, in northeastern Gaza City.
In a separate incident, a series of Israeli bombing and shelling attacks targeted the northeastern neighborhoods of Rafah, in southern Gaza.
These airstrikes and shelling operations came just a few hours after U.S. President Donald Trump praised Hamas for declaring its intention to release the Israeli-American captive in Gaza, Edan Alexander.
U.S. Special Envoy Adam Boehler stated, “The plan announced by Hamas to free the American captive Edan Alexander is a constructive step forward. I am traveling to Israel with Edan Alexander’s mother to witness her son’s return from Hamas. I extend my gratitude to President Donald Trump for his steadfast commitment to returning all American citizens to their homeland.”
Meanwhile, Hamas stated that it is ready to begin immediate talks aimed at achieving a comprehensive ceasefire agreement, which would include prisoner-swap arrangements, a withdrawal from Gaza, and an end to the ongoing genocide.
However, Israeli Army Radio reported that two additional reserve brigades, one composed of infantry units and the other of armored units, have been mobilized to expand the military offensive in Gaza.
The report noted that a total of five reserve brigades have been activated during this phase of the offensive.
Palestinian child Rima Matar (14 years old) is one of thousands of orphans suffering from chronic illnesses amid a collapsed healthcare system. pic.twitter.com/AuDcDawnZR
— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) May 11, 2025
Reuters reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu stated, “Israel is not committed to a ceasefire or to releasing prisoners; instead, its focus is solely on maintaining a secure corridor for Edan’s release.”
Netanyahu added that the anticipated release of Edan has become possible due to what he called “sustained military pressure on Hamas,” and emphasized that while preparations are underway to intensify operations in Gaza, discussions to secure the release of additional captives will continue.
In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said, “We are entering a decisive period. In our negotiations, Hamas has been presented with an offer that would allow the safe return of our captives. The expected, unconditional release of Edan is the result of an assertive policy supported by President Trump and ongoing military pressure.”
His office added, “We have not agreed to any ceasefire or to a prisoner swap deal, but are committed solely to establishing a secure passage for Edan’s release. Meanwhile, negotiations to secure the freedom of other hostages will continue as we ready our forces for further escalation in Gaza.”
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has called for an end to the ongoing food blockade imposed on Gaza for the past nine weeks, warning that the lives of 2.1 million Palestinians are at risk.
In an official statement, OCHA confirmed that food supplies in Gaza are nearly depleted as the comprehensive Israeli blockade enters its third month.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) stated that Israel has prevented the entry of all humanitarian, medical, and commercial aid into Gaza for over nine weeks.
UNRWA emphasized that the longer the blockade continues, the greater the irreversible damage to countless lives. The agency also confirmed that thousands of aid trucks are ready to enter Gaza, with its teams fully prepared to expand humanitarian operations once access is granted.
A report by the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) revealed that approximately 81% of Gaza’s arable land has suffered significant declines in agricultural productivity.
The report attributes the destruction of farmland to Israeli bombardment and bulldozing operations, which have devastated Gaza’s agricultural sector since October 7, 2023.
Since March 2, 2025, Israeli authorities have completely blocked the entry of all humanitarian, food, and medical aid into Gaza, leaving residents entirely dependent on external assistance for survival.
The UN Humanitarian Country Team has condemned Israeli efforts to restrict aid distribution, warning that the blockade is exacerbating starvation and forced displacement.
UN agencies and humanitarian organizations continue to urge global leaders to intervene and pressure Israel to immediately reopen border crossings to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe.
Since the resumption of the genocide on March 18, 2025, at least 3,227 Palestinians, including 538 women and 551 children, have been killed, and thousands more injured in Gaza (figures that do not include today’s casualties).
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 52,829 Palestinians, including at least 15,626 children, 9,807 women, 3,855 elderly individuals, 237 journalists, and 23 medics. At least 119,554 people—mostly children, women, and the elderly—have been wounded.
The figures remain incomplete, as many victims are still trapped under rubble or in areas inaccessible to rescue teams due to massive destruction caused by ongoing Israeli bombings and invasions.
