Israeli airstrikes on May 25, 2025, killed at least 23 Palestinians in Gaza, including prominent journalist Hassan Majdi Abu Warda and senior civil emergency official Ashraf Abu Nar, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Abu Warda, director of the Barq Gaza news agency, and several family members were killed when a strike hit their home in Jabalia, northern Gaza. Abu Nar, who led rescue operations during previous conflicts, and his wife died in a separate strike on their house in Nuseirat, central Gaza.
The attacks also targeted residential areas in Khan Younis, where two International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) staff members were killed the previous day.
Toll on Journalists and First Responders
Abu Warda’s death brings the total number of Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza since October 2023 to 220, as reported by the Gaza Media Office. First responders and humanitarian workers, including over 150 Red Crescent and Civil Defense personnel, have also borne disproportionate risks, with many killed while on duty. These losses compound challenges in documenting and mitigating civilian suffering amid widespread destruction and restricted access to aid.
Territorial Control and Military Operations
Israeli forces now control 77% of Gaza through ground operations, evacuation orders, and sustained bombardment, according to Palestinian authorities. The military intensified strikes over the weekend, targeting over 100 sites, including weapons depots and rocket launchers. Hamas and Islamic Jihad claimed retaliatory attacks on Israeli troops, including ambushes and anti-tank rocket fire.
Humanitarian Catastrophe
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 53,900 Palestinians killed since October 2023, including more than 16,500 children. Aid organizations warn of severe malnutrition, with 500,000 people facing famine-like conditions. The UN estimates 1.9 million Palestinians are displaced, many sheltering in overcrowded tent camps with minimal access to food, water, or medical care. Hospitals, already crippled by shortages, struggle to treat survivors of ongoing strikes, such as Dr. Hamdi al-Najjar, whose nine children were killed in a Khan Younis attack.
International Response and Blockade
Despite limited aid resumption—107 trucks entered Gaza on May 23—the UN stresses that 500–600 daily trucks are needed to avert famine. Israel’s 11-week blockade, partially eased under international pressure, has exacerbated shortages, with reports of looting driven by desperation. The ICRC and UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access, condemning the “intolerable civilian death toll”.