NextFin news, Israel intensified its military strikes on Gaza City on Friday, targeting the main urban center in the Gaza Strip as part of its ongoing offensive against Hamas. Local health authorities reported at least 40 Palestinians killed in the latest attacks, with the majority of casualties occurring in Gaza City, where many residents have refused to evacuate despite Israeli orders.
The Israeli military has declared its intent to take full control of Gaza City, home to nearly one million Palestinians. The city has been under continuous bombardment since Thursday, with residents describing relentless explosions and airstrikes. Witnesses reported that at least 15 houses in the Beach refugee camp area were hit, and some residents received direct warnings from the Israeli army about imminent strikes on their homes.
Many residents have chosen to stay put, citing the absence of safe destinations to flee to. The Israeli military has designated a so-called "humanitarian zone" in southern Gaza for displaced persons, but the United Nations and aid organizations have criticized this area as inadequate in size and lacking sufficient services to support the influx of people.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Wednesday that its staff would remain in Gaza City despite Israeli calls for evacuation. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the evacuation order as unfeasible, highlighting that half of Gaza's remaining functional hospitals are located in Gaza City and that the health system cannot afford to lose these facilities.
UN officials reported that the ongoing bombardment has caused significant displacement, with over 25,000 people moving between Sunday and Wednesday alone. Critical services, including primary healthcare centers and nutrition sites, have been forced to suspend operations due to the airstrikes. Education facilities are also at risk, with 95 temporary learning sites potentially closing amid the insecurity.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with the UN declaring famine in parts of the territory and UNICEF warning of a devastating rate of child malnutrition. The Gaza health ministry, considered a reliable source by the UN, reports that more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict escalated in October 2023, most of them civilians.
Israel's offensive began after a deadly Hamas attack in October 2023 that killed 1,219 people in Israel. The Israeli military has since intensified its operations, aiming to dismantle Hamas, but the conflict has resulted in widespread destruction and a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
International responses have included condemnation of the evacuation orders and calls for a ceasefire. The UN and various governments have criticized the conditions in the designated humanitarian zone and urged increased aid access. Israel has announced plans to expand a crossing point in southern Gaza to triple the daily intake of aid trucks, aiming to facilitate more humanitarian assistance.
The situation remains volatile as Israel continues its military campaign in Gaza City, with residents caught between the intensifying strikes and limited options for safe evacuation.
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