GAZA: Israeli airstrikes overnight resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians in Gaza, including a family of six.
Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians in Gaza overnight, including six members of a single family, as the ongoing conflict escalates. The airstrikes targeted a displacement camp labeled by Israel as a “humanitarian” zone, along with tents sheltering displaced individuals in Khan Younis, prompting urgent responses from rescue teams at the scene.
Since Israel resumed large-scale airstrikes on March 18, at least 1,163 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Nearly 100 fatalities were recorded in the past 24 hours alone, with three additional bodies recovered from earlier strikes, raising the overall death toll to 50,423 since the conflict reignited on October 7, 2023.
In light of the ongoing military operations, the Israeli army has issued evacuation orders for residents in areas such as Shujaiya and the neighborhoods of al-Jadida, al-Turkman, Tasbeeh, and eastern Zeitoun, warning of imminent military action.
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated, “The Israeli army is operating with great force in your areas to destroy terrorist infrastructure.” Residents have been advised to seek refuge in “known shelters” in western Gaza City, although the locations of these shelters remain ambiguous. Previous evacuation orders have directed residents to purported “safe zones,” many of which were subsequently targeted by Israeli forces.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening, with the United Nations reporting that 142,000 individuals have been displaced since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, following a fragile ceasefire that had been in effect since January.
On a single day, at least 62 Palestinians were killed in continued Israeli attacks throughout the besieged enclave, as reported by Al Jazeera and Palestinian media.
In Gaza City’s Shujaiya neighborhood, a family home was bombed by Israeli fighter jets, resulting in the deaths of nine Palestinians. Additional airstrikes in al-Mawasi near Khan Younis and within the city itself claimed numerous lives, with tents housing displaced families also among the targets.
Gaza’s health ministry confirmed at least 97 fatalities from Israeli strikes within the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, in Rafah, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled the city, marking one of the largest mass displacements of the conflict as Israeli forces advance into its remnants. Israel has categorized Rafah as part of a new “security zone” it intends to seize.
A father of seven who escaped to neighboring Khan Younis described the devastation, saying, “Rafah is gone, it is being wiped out. They are knocking down what is left standing of houses and property,” while speaking to Reuters on the condition of anonymity due to safety concerns.
