Israel kills 28 Palestinians in Gaza since dawn
At least 28 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the enclave since dawn, Al Jazeera’s sources on the ground say.
Among the victims were seven people who were seeking aid north of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza when they were shot dead by Israeli forces, sources at al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza’s Jabalia told Al Jazeera.
Gaza witnessing ‘undeniable escalation’
Last night was completely sleepless as Israeli drones and warplanes filled the skies, attacking and destroying homes and makeshift camps in places Israel itself had designated as safe zones.
In al-Mawasi, for example, we heard from a Palestinian father who lost his children in an air attack. He told us his children were sleeping peacefully when the Israeli missile tore through the tent and ripped their bodies apart.
Elsewhere in Gaza, there has been a surge of attacks on densely populated areas, particularly in Gaza City, where rows of homes have been levelled by Israeli heavy artillery in the eastern parts of the city.
Israel is still mobilising forces and trying to dangerously expand its operations in Gaza City to reach the Sabra neighbourhood, where more than 450 homes have been destroyed.
We have testimonies from people that Israel is destroying tower blocks there, ensuring that these areas will turn into lifeless wasteland that will be uninhabitable.
Palestinian families flee south from Gaza City, but nowhere is safe
Here, in Deir el-Balah, we’ve seen a steady influx of families heading south from Gaza City to escape the approved Israeli offensive to take control of the city.
We’ve seen people coming on foot, others on donkey carts or in overcrowded vehicles. They’re desperately trying to find another place to go, but they’re aware that nowhere in Gaza is spared from Israeli air attacks.
They are moving from areas witnessing heavy Israeli bombardment to areas that are already overwhelmed with displaced people.
Aid agencies are saying that al-Mawasi in the south is already overcrowded with tents and lacks any sort of humanitarian infrastructure. Overwhelmed hospitals also lack the capacity to deal with any surge in casualties.
It’s clear to everyone in Gaza that no place is safe.
Former Palestinian national basketball star killed while seeking aid: Report
Mohammed Shaalan, a prominent former Palestinian national basketball player, has been shot dead by Israeli forces at an aid distribution point in southern Gaza, according to the Wafa news agency.
The report said that the 40-year-old was shot in the governorate of Khan Younis on Tuesday while desperately trying to access food and medicine to help his daughter Mariam, who is suffering from kidney failure.
