IDF Continues Intensive Strikes Across Gaza on Day 5 of Renewed Military Campaign — Dozens Killed

Israeli air and ground operations continued across Gaza on May 15, 2026 (Day 947 of the war; Day 5 of Israel's renewed military campaign authorized May 10 by the security cabinet). Strikes were concentrated in eastern Gaza City and Khan Younis, the two areas identified by OCHA as facing the highest operational intensity. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, speaking on May 15, stated that a key lesson from October 7 was 'the need for a high and constant level of readiness for a surprise attack on our borders' — remarks widely interpreted as signaling continued aggressive operations. Multiple Palestinian sources reported dozens of Palestinians killed and scores wounded across Gaza throughout the day. Al Jazeera reported a 35% increase in Israeli attacks in April vs. March 2026 (per ACLED data), with the pace intensifying further in the first week of May. Cumulative casualties since the October 2025 ceasefire (now effectively collapsed) stand at approximately 875+ killed and 2,500+ wounded. The total Palestinian death toll since October 7, 2023 has passed 72,750+. UNRWA continued to warn of spreading disease outbreaks, rat infestations, and the collapse of sanitation infrastructure across all five governorates. Egypt's 196th 'Zad Al Izza' humanitarian convoy entered Gaza via the Rafah auxiliary gate on May 14-15, but at 110 trucks/day — a fraction of the 600+ required.