Israeli forces stepped up their military operations in Gaza City on Thursday, killing at least 16 Palestinians and wounding dozens more across the enclave, according to local health officials. The intensified bombardment targeted neighborhoods in Shejaia, Zeitoun, and Sabra, forcing families to flee toward the coast. The latest deaths bring the total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in the past 24 hours to 71, as the military prepares to advance into Gaza’s largest urban center despite global appeals for restraint.
Israeli officials have described Gaza City as the final stronghold of Hamas, the group responsible for the October 2023 cross-border attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 others taken hostage. While Israel insists its campaign is directed at dismantling Hamas’ capabilities, Palestinian authorities say the offensive has disproportionately devastated civilians. Since the start of the conflict, more than 62,000 Palestinians—most of them women and children—have been killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israel disputes these figures and has challenged reports of famine in the enclave.
The humanitarian crisis deepened further in southern Gaza on Thursday, where four Palestinians were reported dead and dozens injured near aid distribution sites in Rafah and Khan Younis. Medical officials at Red Cross and local hospitals said many of the victims sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to collect food. Health workers described critical cases with upper-body injuries, fueling fears of worsening conditions for the nearly two million displaced people living under siege.
Meanwhile, international concern continues to mount over the scale of destruction and civilian suffering. The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that its field hospital in Rafah has treated over 5,000 patients with weapon-related injuries since late May, underscoring the strain on medical services already overwhelmed by the conflict. Despite mounting calls for a ceasefire and Hamas’ recent acceptance of a proposal tied to hostage releases, Israel has reiterated that it will only agree to a deal if all captives are freed and the militant group surrenders.
As the bombardment of Gaza intensifies, the enclave faces mounting starvation and malnutrition-related deaths, with 317 fatalities—including 121 children—recorded since the war began. With over one million Palestinians currently trapped in Gaza City and surrounding areas, fears are growing that an Israeli ground advance into the city could trigger even greater civilian casualties and deepen one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises in recent history.
