Israeli ground forces advance in al-Mawasi in southern Gaza
We have some updates from al-Mawasi which Israeli forces call a “humanitarian” zone.
Just in the past hour, we have heard a crackle of gunfire, which was later revealed to be an advancement by Israeli ground forces under cover from drones that continue to pummel areas filled with civilians.
We saw earlier today how Palestinians were taking cover from the gunfire, as the Israeli military was conducting some sort of operational activity in the area.
Elsewhere, there has been an escalation in Beit Lahiya in the north. We received confirmation from our colleagues in the north that the Israeli army deployed explosive robots in the vicinity of Kamal Adwan Hospital.
There are still lots of residents trapped in Beit Lahiya who have refused to leave due to the narrow options they have but are feeling very unsafe at the same time.
One of the key attacks which took place at midnight was a strike on a residential home that we reported on earlier, which killed at least 10 people.
‘Tanks were invading’: Trapped MSF staff on al-Mawasi attack
We’ve received a statement from Doctors Without Borders (MSF), about the Israeli attack earlier today in al-Mawasi, in southern Gaza.
The group said that amid intense fighting, 12 of its team members and their families were surrounded by bombing and heavy shootings in their homes, while more than 30 others were trapped in the MSF office.
“Tanks were invading the area where we live. It was terrifying. We were lying on the ground in our homes for hours and it seemed like the gunfire was coming directly towards us,” said a trapped MSF staff member.
MSF said it was forced to close its emergency room in the health clinic in the area due to insecurity, leaving people without lifesaving care even as wounded people were arriving for treatment.
Its statement added: “MSF is deeply concerned for the safety of our staff and patients in Gaza and calls all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and all aid workers, and to establish an immediate and permanent ceasefire across the Strip.”
Israeli military says two soldiers killed in southern Gaza
The Israeli military reports two more soldiers have been killed during fighting in the southern Gaza Strip.
It said reservist Major Moshiko Maxim Rozenwald, 35, was a company commander in an engineering battalion of the Nahal Brigade, adding that a second soldier cannot be named at this point.
The army did not say how they were killed. This brings the total number of Israeli soldiers confirmed killed since October 7, 2023 to 817.
Gaza death toll rises
At least 45,059 people have been killed and 107,041 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023, the enclave’s Health Ministry says. Of those, 31 Palestinians were killed and 79 wounded in the latest 24-hour reporting period, the ministry added.
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