Israel has launched a barrage of intense airstrikes on the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, leading to what residents are describing as the heaviest bombing of the ongoing conflict. The Israeli military has instructed people in eastern areas of the city to evacuate further south, as they believe some Hamas leaders are present in the area.

According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, the latest wave of Israeli attacks has resulted in the death of at least 193 people. The overall death toll in Gaza has now exceeded 15,200 people, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) resumed their offensive against Hamas. This offensive was initially launched in response to the 7 October attacks in Israel, which claimed the lives of around 1,200 people.

The temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed, leading to the resumption of Israel's bombardment of Gaza. The IDF reported hitting over 400 Hamas "terror targets" on the first day of the renewed operation. Khan Younis and the neighboring city of Rafah, located on the border with Egypt, were heavily targeted by the airstrikes. The next phase of the offensive is expected to concentrate on southern Gaza.

The situation in Gaza has become dire, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians seeking shelter in the area after being instructed to flee the north. Hospitals, already operating under strained conditions due to weeks of fighting, are now overwhelmed with casualties. At the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, patients are being treated on the floor due to limited resources.

Meanwhile, aid agencies have warned that the current rate of aid delivery is insufficient to sustain Gaza's 2.3 million population. Around 50 lorries of aid managed to enter Gaza from Egypt on Saturday, after a day with no supplies reaching the territory. However, these numbers fall short of the approximately 100 lorries of aid needed daily.

Talks to reach a deal for another temporary ceasefire, as well as to secure the release of those kidnapped on 7 October who remain in Gaza, have collapsed. The negotiations have hit a stalemate, with no bilateral contacts or attempts to initiate a fresh truce. Israel has even pulled its negotiators from talks in Qatar, which has been serving as a mediator.

In a meeting with the president of Egypt, US Vice-President Kamala Harris emphasized that the United States would not permit forced relocations of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, the besiegement of Gaza, or the redrawing of Gaza's borders.

The recent temporary ceasefire release saw the liberation of over 100 women and child hostages from Gaza, while 240 Palestinian prisoners were freed in exchange. However, there are still over 100 hostages being held by Hamas, including at least 16 women.

The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the renewed war between Israel and Hamas, labeling it as "catastrophic" and a "nightmare". Mohammed Ghalayini from Manchester has voiced his fears for his family's safety in Gaza as the bombing resumes.

As Israel continues to carry out airstrikes in southern Gaza, the mounting death toll and the humanitarian crisis is likely to raise tough questions regarding US support for its ally.