Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City have resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians in two densely populated areas.
Early reports from Israeli media indicated that the bombings were intended to eliminate a high-ranking Hamas commander.
While initial reports suggested numerous casualties, including people trapped under rubble, the Israel Defense Forces stated they had targeted Hamas “military infrastructure sites.”
The airstrikes devastated the al-Shati neighborhood, also known as Beach Camp, and the al-Tuffah district, killing 38 people according to Ismail Al-Thawabta, the director of the Hamas-run government media office. Initial death tolls had reported 42 fatalities.
Emergency services reported numerous casualties, with many taken to Al-Ahli Hospital.
Social media footage showed severe destruction in al-Shati, with streets filled with dust, smoke, and a column of rising smoke.
Hamas has not commented on Israel’s claim of hitting military infrastructure, instead accusing Israel of targeting civilians.
In a statement, Hamas vowed that “the occupation and its Nazi leaders will pay the price for their violations against our people.”
Reuters footage depicted Palestinians searching for victims amidst the ruins in al-Shati refugee camp, showing demolished homes, shattered walls, and debris-covered streets.
Israel’s extensive ground and air campaign in Gaza was a response to a Hamas-led militant attack on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 250 hostages being taken, according to Israeli reports.
The conflict has caused widespread destruction in Gaza, killing more than 37,400 people, with 101 deaths in the past 24 hours, as reported by Palestinian health authorities.
The offensive has rendered nearly the entire population homeless and destitute.
Currently, Israeli forces are focused on the last remaining areas: Rafah on Gaza’s southern border and the area around Deir al-Balah in the center. Residents reported increased tank incursions into western and northern Rafah.
On Saturday, Israeli forces conducted air and ground bombings, displacing many families from humanitarian-designated zones in the north.
The Israeli military stated it continued “precise, intelligence-based” operations in Rafah, targeting Palestinian gunmen and dismantling military infrastructure.
On Friday, the Gaza health ministry reported at least 25 Palestinians killed and 50 wounded in Mawasi, western Rafah. Palestinians claim a tank shell hit a tent sheltering displaced families.
The Israeli military is reviewing the incident, stating that an initial inquiry shows no evidence of an IDF strike in the humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that the attack damaged its Gaza office.
The attack occurred around 3:30 pm on Friday, causing three explosions that damaged the Red Cross compound.
William Schomburg, the local chief for the ICRC, described the aftermath, saying, “There were piles of dead bodies, blood everywhere.”
Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign affairs chief, called for an “independent investigation” into the shelling that damaged the ICRC office on Saturday.
