More than 80 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, most of them in Gaza City, local hospitals said. 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 said it struck two Hamas fighters, claiming the number of casualties did not align with its information. Meanwhile, Israeli tanks and troops continued their advance into the heart of the city, which Israel says is the last stronghold of Hamas.
The military aims to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas, as hundreds of thousands of residents flee Gaza's largest urban center under dire humanitarian conditions. In a separate development, US envoy Steve Witkoff described a recent peace plan presented by President Donald Trump to Arab leaders.
Hospitals reported receiving the bodies of more than 60 people killed since midnight, and the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency stated that a significant portion was due to an Israeli strike on a shelter. Testimonies from survivors emphasize the horrific toll of this conflict, revealing that many victims included children.
Israeli forces are conducting operations to eliminate Hamas, which they state has resulted in hundreds of thousands evacuated to southern Gaza. However, the already overcrowded conditions in designated humanitarian areas have raised alarming concerns. Palestinian communities find themselves increasingly trapped and facing severe shortages of essential services amid ongoing violence. Despite international calls for de-escalation, the situation remains critical, with substantial civilian casualties mounting as both sides engage in violent confrontations.
The military aims to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas, as hundreds of thousands of residents flee Gaza's largest urban center under dire humanitarian conditions. In a separate development, US envoy Steve Witkoff described a recent peace plan presented by President Donald Trump to Arab leaders.
Hospitals reported receiving the bodies of more than 60 people killed since midnight, and the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency stated that a significant portion was due to an Israeli strike on a shelter. Testimonies from survivors emphasize the horrific toll of this conflict, revealing that many victims included children.
Israeli forces are conducting operations to eliminate Hamas, which they state has resulted in hundreds of thousands evacuated to southern Gaza. However, the already overcrowded conditions in designated humanitarian areas have raised alarming concerns. Palestinian communities find themselves increasingly trapped and facing severe shortages of essential services amid ongoing violence. Despite international calls for de-escalation, the situation remains critical, with substantial civilian casualties mounting as both sides engage in violent confrontations.
