On Thursday, Israeli military strikes killed at least 17 Palestinians in different parts of the Gaza Strip, according to local medics. Israeli forces stepped up shelling in central areas of the enclave, while tanks advanced in both the north and south.
The climb occurs after Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah begin ceasefire in Lebanon, ending more than a year of hostilities. The event raised hopes for a similar deal between Israel and Hamas, which rules Gaza.
Airstrikes and deaths
In the northern Gaza Strip, in Beit Lahiya, two separate airstrikes hit a house and the vicinity of Kamal Adwan hospital, killing six people. Another four Palestinians were killed when an airstrike hit a motorcycle in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the enclave.
In Nuseirat, one of Gaza's eight historic refugee camps, Israeli aircraft destroyed a multi-story building and carried out bombings near roads and mosques. The strikes killed at least seven people, according to local health officials.
Medical reports indicate that a woman and a child were among the victims of tank shelling in the western Nuseirat region. In addition, an airstrike destroyed a nearby house, killing five people.
Tank advance
In the town of Rafah, located near the border with Egypt, Israeli tanks advanced in the northwest area, according to residents. There has been no immediate comment from Israeli authorities on the latest fighting.
Impacts of the military campaign
Israel’s 13-month-old military campaign in Gaza has been aimed at rooting out Hamas militants. According to local officials, some 44,200 people have died during the conflict, and nearly the entire population of the enclave has been displaced at least once. Vast swathes of the territory remain in ruins.
The conflict was triggered by a coordinated attack by Hamas-led fighters, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of more than 250 hostages in Israel on October 7, 2023, according to information from the Israeli government.
Source: Nidal al-Mughrabi and Hussam al-Masri | Notícias Agrícolas
