Israeli bombardment of Gaza cities and refugee camps continues, killing dozens

Geoff Bennett:

We learned today that a 70-year-old woman with U.S. citizenship who was thought to have been taken to Gaza as a hostage by Hamas on October 7 was actually killed during the initial attack. That's according to a statement released by the kibbutz she was taken from.

Meantime, Israel continued its assault on Gaza today amid an escalating war of words between Israel and Hezbollah.

Stephanie Sy has the story.

Stephanie Sy:

An early morning airstrike hit Deir al Balah. The flames of war burn on in Central Gaza. As the Israeli offensive against Hamas continues, grieving families are running out of space to bury the dead.

Sadi Baraka, Cemetery Worker (through interpreter):

Here, around 11,000 martyrs arrived at this cemetery, and, here, they are being buried. Today or tomorrow will be the last day of burial in the cemetery, because the cemetery is almost full.

Stephanie Sy:

Some Gazans traveled south to escape the fighting, but couldn't outrun the airstrikes. In Khan Yunis, the youngest patients were rushed to the hospital.

Yara Shanan, Displaced From Gaza City (through interpreter):

We were sitting and eating when we found something falling over our heads. We didn't have any Hamas members or anything, if they're saying this is because of Hamas. I wish we hadn't come to Khan Yunis. I wish we had stayed in Gaza City.

Stephanie Sy:

In Rafah, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said an Israeli airstrike killed 20 and injured 55 Palestinians.

As the airstrikes rain down, Israeli troops battle Hamas on the ground. Hamas released this video of its militants firing on Israeli military vehicles. Amidst the fighting, 129 hostages remain captive in Gaza.

Today, a kibbutz in Israel announced that an Israeli-American citizen, Judith Weinstein Haggai, thought to have been a hostage, was actually killed on October 7, along with her husband. Their bodies are believed to still be held by Hamas.

Meanwhile, the IDF released video showing what it called widespread strikes in Southern Lebanon in response to Hezbollah's firing of rockets and missiles into Northern Israel. The Hamas-allied movement is backed by Iran.

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, Spokesman, Israeli Defense Forces:

Iran is a culprit. Iran is definitely seriously, deeply involved in the instability of the region.

Stephanie Sy:

Today, Israel intercepted a drone above Haifa that took off from Lebanon.

Last night, Benny Gantz, a member of the war cabinet, said they were ready to engage.

Benny Gantz, Israeli War Cabinet Minister (through interpreter):

The situation on Israel's northern border demands change. The stopwatch for a diplomatic solution is running out. If the world and the Lebanese government don't act in order to prevent the firing on Israel's northern residents and to distance Hezbollah from the border, the IDF will do it.

Stephanie Sy:

A Hezbollah deputy said they were prepared to escalate the fighting.

Sheikh Maim Kassem, Hezbollah Deputy Chief (through interpreter):

Hezbollah and the resistance in Lebanon are making great sacrifices in support of Gaza and the future of this country. We are making the sacrifices that the battle requires, and they are great, but we are also repelling a great danger.

We are ready for more whenever necessary. We are not intimidated by threats or warnings. We in the field are clear that we are part of this battle.

Stephanie Sy:

A battle that threatens to expand if hostilities can't be contained.

For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Stephanie Sy.