Palestinians navigate through the debris left by an Israeli airstrike on a house during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Deir Al Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Wednesday. — Reuters
Israeli tanks advanced into the northern regions of the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, as Palestinian medics reported that Israeli airstrikes had claimed the lives of at least 20 individuals across the enclave. Residents noted that tanks moved in a day after the Israeli military issued fresh evacuation orders, citing rocket launches from the area. With shells landing near residential zones, families evacuated their homes and moved westward towards the designated humanitarian area of Al Mawasi.
Medics confirmed that 11 people were killed in three separate airstrikes in central Gaza, including six children and one medic. Five of the fatalities were reportedly standing in line outside a bakery. Additionally, nine Palestinians were killed by tank fire in Rafah, close to the border with Egypt, according to medics.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to the medics' reports. Israeli forces continued their assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, for the fifth consecutive day, according to hospital director Hussam Abu Safiya. He reported that three of his medical staff were injured, one critically, on Tuesday night. "Drones are dropping bombs filled with shrapnel that injure anyone who dares to move," said Abu Safiya. "The situation is extremely urgent."
Residents in three towns—Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun—claimed that Israeli forces had destroyed dozens of homes. Palestinians accuse Israel's army of attempting to force people out of the northern edge of Gaza through forced evacuations and bombardments to establish a buffer zone. The Israeli army refutes this, stating that their actions aim to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping in an area previously cleared of their presence.
Israel initiated its campaign in the densely populated enclave following Hamas-led attacks on Israeli communities across the border on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of over 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Since then, Israel's military campaign has claimed the lives of more than 44,400 Palestinians, injured many others, and devastated much of the enclave.
Israel agreed to a ceasefire with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah last week, halting the conflict in Lebanon, which had been unfolding parallel to the Gaza war. However, the Gaza war itself has persisted, with only a single ceasefire more than a year ago lasting for a week.
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