Israeli air strikes on Gaza City escalated on Friday, killing at least 40 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. Most of the victims were in Gaza City, where residents are defying evacuation orders because they believe there is no safe place to flee.
Israeli Forces Target Gaza City
Israel has declared its plan to take full control of Gaza City, home to nearly one million displaced people. The Israeli army said it conducted five waves of strikes this week, hitting more than 500 sites. Targets included Hamas reconnaissance posts, tunnel openings, and weapons depots.
“The explosions never stopped since yesterday,” said Adel, a 60-year-old father of two living near the Beach refugee camp. “By these bombardments, they are telling people, ‘You either leave your area or die there.’”
Displacement and Aid Challenges
Despite heavy bombardment, only about 10% of Gaza City residents have evacuated since Israel announced its operation a month ago, according to Amjad Al-Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGOs Network. Many families are moving south, but air strikes there have also claimed lives.
To prepare for further displacement, Israel said it is expanding “Crossing 147” in the southern Gaza Strip. Once completed, the site will allow 150 trucks of aid per day, triple the current level. Officials say the priority will be food supplies.
Mounting Humanitarian Crisis
International criticism is growing. The U.N. and foreign governments, including Israel’s allies, have condemned the evacuation orders and warned of worsening humanitarian conditions.
Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, Israeli strikes have killed more than 64,000 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to local health authorities. Hunger is also taking lives. At least 411 people, including 142 children, have reportedly died of malnutrition and starvation.
The war started after Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. On Friday, Israeli police also reported arresting a Palestinian suspect who carried out a stabbing attack near Jerusalem.
