GAZA CITY — Western Gaza came under heavy airstrikes on Monday, with images showing thick smoke and widespread destruction across several neighborhoods.

The strikes mark a sharp escalation in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has already left the region reeling from months of bombardments and shortages of essential supplies. Witnesses described powerful blasts that shook buildings and sent plumes of smoke into the sky, as emergency crews scrambled to respond.

Israel has not yet released an official statement regarding the targets of the strikes, though previous operations in Gaza have focused on locations the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) allege are used by Hamas for military purposes.

The situation on the ground remains fluid, with concerns that the violence could further intensify in the coming days. International observers have renewed calls for de-escalation and humanitarian access as the conflict continues to devastate civilian areas.