At least 40 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Friday, according to local health officials, with most of the casualties reported in Gaza City.
Despite evacuation orders, many residents remain in the city, saying they have no safe place to go.
Israel has vowed to take full control of Gaza City, where around one million people are currently sheltering, as part of its campaign to eliminate Hamas. In recent days, it has intensified air and ground operations.
“The explosions haven’t stopped,” said Adel, a 60-year-old father of two living near the Beach refugee camp. Speaking via a chat app, he said many families had fled, adding: “By these bombardments, they are telling people, ‘Leave or die.’”
The Israeli military said it carried out five waves of strikes on Gaza City this week, hitting over 500 targets, including tunnel shafts, sniper positions, and weapons storage sites.
It said operations would continue at an accelerated pace, based on intelligence targeting Hamas infrastructure.
Airstrikes were also reported in the southern part of the territory, where many displaced people from the north have sought refuge.
Amjad Al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGOs Network, estimated that about 10% of Gaza City’s population has left since Israel announced its plan to seize the area a month ago.
Meanwhile, Israel said it is expanding “Crossing 147” in southern Gaza to increase the flow of humanitarian aid.
The military said the crossing’s capacity will triple to 150 trucks per day to support those relocating from northern Gaza, with a focus on food supplies.
The evacuation orders and worsening humanitarian conditions have drawn widespread condemnation from the United Nations and several international governments, including some of Israel’s traditional allies. Critics have called for an immediate ceasefire.
Local health authorities report that over 64,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in the conflict, which has caused mass displacement, widespread hunger, and severe infrastructure damage.
At least 411 people, including 142 children, have reportedly died from malnutrition or starvation.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures.
In a separate incident on Friday, Israeli police said a Palestinian from the West Bank was arrested after a stabbing attack at a kibbutz hotel near Jerusalem.
Two people were hospitalized, according to emergency services.