More than 80 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, most of them in Gaza City, local hospitals reported. Women and children were among at least 20 who died when a strike hit a building and tents sheltering displaced families near Firas market in Gaza City's central Daraj neighbourhood overnight, according to first responders.
The Israeli military stated it struck two Hamas fighters, disputing the number of casualties reported by local sources. Meanwhile, Israeli tanks and troops continued their advance into the city, declaring it the last stronghold of Hamas.
The purpose of the military's ground offensive is claimed to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and to achieve a decisive defeat of the group. Hundreds of thousands have fled Gaza City, where a humanitarian crisis is ongoing, but many remain in precarious conditions.
International journalists have been restricted from independently verifying the situation on the ground in Gaza, amplifying the difficulty of assessing the ongoing humanitarian crisis accurately. Eyewitness accounts describe the chilling aftermath of Israeli airstrikes, with many buried under rubble, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian aid.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir emphasized that their operations are focused on Gaza City. He called on residents to separate from Hamas, claiming their actions directly result in civilian suffering.
As the offensive continues, humanitarian organizations warn of a looming disaster in Gaza if conditions do not improve, stressing the dire need for immediate international intervention.
