17 Casualties Reported in Israeli Airstrikes in Central Gaza, According to Medics
This morning, Israeli military strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 17 Palestinians across Gaza, according to medical sources, as forces intensified their bombardments in central areas and advanced tanks further into the north and south of the enclave.
Among those casualties, six individuals lost their lives in two distinct air strikes targeting a residential building and the vicinity of the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahiya in the north, while four other fatalities occurred due to an Israeli strike in Khan Younis in the south.
In Nuseirat, one of Gaza’s eight historic refugee camps, Israeli aircraft executed multiple air strikes, destroying a multi-story building and impacting roadways near mosques.
Health officials reported that at least seven people were killed in some of those air strikes.
Palestinians are seen searching for personal belongings amidst the rubble of buildings that were demolished in the Israeli attacks on Gaza City.
Residents noted that in Rafah, close to the border with Egypt, tanks have advanced further into the north-west region of the city.
As of now, there has been no Israeli response to the ongoing fighting in Gaza during the night and early morning hours.
According to Gaza officials, Israel’s year-long campaign in the region, aimed at eliminating Hamas militants, has claimed nearly 44,200 lives and displaced almost the entire population of the enclave at least once.
Massive areas of the territory are now in ruins.
This conflict was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which left around 1,200 people dead and resulted in over 250 hostages being taken in Israel.
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Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire over the past few months have seen minimal progress, and discussions are currently stalled.
Mediator Qatar has paused its initiatives until both parties are willing to compromise.
A ceasefire concerning the related conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Hamas’ ally in Lebanon, came into effect just before dawn yesterday, halting hostilities that had escalated considerably in recent months and eclipsed the situation in Gaza.
When announcing the agreement in Lebanon on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden expressed his intention to renew attempts at reaching a difficult agreement in Gaza, encouraging both Israel and Hamas to take this opportunity seriously.