In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, the United States has expressed deepening concern over the increasing number of Palestinian casualties. According to health officials in Gaza, the death toll from the Israeli bombardment has now surpassed 11,000 after five weeks of intense fighting.

Reports indicate that the fighting around Gaza City's besieged and overcrowded hospitals has escalated, with Palestinian officials stating that these facilities have been hit by explosions and gunfire. In light of these events, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to India, made his strongest comments yet on the dire situation faced by civilians caught in the crossfire. He acknowledged that "far too many Palestinians have been killed" and that countless others have suffered over the past weeks.

While the White House announced daily four-hour humanitarian pauses initiated by Israel on Thursday, Blinken emphasized that further action is necessary to protect the civilian population in Gaza. With mounting calls for restraint, Israel maintains that a truce could potentially allow Hamas militants to regroup and stage further attacks.

Mohammad Abu Selmeyah, the director of Al Shifa hospital, condemned Israel's actions, claiming that the country is now waging war on Gaza City hospitals. He explained that at least 25 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Al-Buraq school, which was serving as a shelter for those whose homes had been destroyed.

Gaza officials reported that missiles landed in the courtyard of Al Shifa hospital, the largest hospital in the enclave, causing damage to the Indonesian Hospital and reportedly setting fire to the Nasser Rantissi pediatric cancer hospital. In response, Israel's military stated that a misfired projectile launched by Palestinian militants had hit Shifa.

Israel has repeatedly asserted that Hamas hides weapons in tunnels beneath hospitals, a charge that Hamas denies. The presence of displaced people, patients, and doctors in northern Gaza, where the hospitals are located, further complicates the situation.

As tensions continue to escalate, Israeli tanks have reportedly taken positions around the Nasser Rantissi hospital and the Al-Quds hospital. The Gaza health ministry's spokesman, Ashraf Al-Qidra, revealed that Shifa hospital buildings have been bombed five times, resulting in the death of one Palestinian and several injuries.

According to Palestinian officials, the death toll in Gaza stands at 11,078 residents killed in air and artillery strikes since October 7. Israel's Foreign Ministry, on the other hand, revised its earlier death toll and now estimates that approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the Hamas attack on October 7. Israel also mentioned that 240 individuals were taken hostage by Hamas and that 39 soldiers have been killed in combat since then.

Gaza's hospitals are already experiencing immense strain, with shortages of medical supplies, clean water, and fuel to power generators. The blast at Shifa hospital has further exacerbated this dire situation, prompting many people to flee the premises.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has declared that the healthcare system in Gaza has reached a "point of no return." Additionally, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency has reported that over 100 UN employees have lost their lives in the Israel-Hamas war, making it the deadliest conflict for the UN in such a short period of time.

With ongoing rocket fire and clashes, the situation remains critical, and efforts to find a resolution to the conflict continue. The United States and other international actors are closely monitoring the situation, urging all parties involved to prioritize the protection of civilians and take immediate steps towards de-escalation.