Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza hospitals in early morning assault
Palestinians in northern Gaza experienced a devastating onslaught on Monday as Israeli troops, bolstered by tanks, launched a ground assault into the enclave, prompting heightened international appeals for the safeguarding of civilian lives.
The situation grew even grimmer as Israeli airstrikes targeted regions near Gaza City’s vital Shifa and Al-Quds hospitals, while Palestinian militants engaged in fierce confrontations with Israeli forces near Khan Younis in the southern border area, as reported by Palestinian media.
The escalation underscores the urgent need for a ceasefire and heightened efforts to protect innocent civilians trapped in this escalating conflict.
In the recent developments in Gaza, both Hamas and the Israeli military have not provided comments on the fighting that occurred on Monday, Reuters reported.
The escalation in hostilities followed Israel’s release of images depicting battle tanks near Gaza’s western coast, suggesting a potential effort to encircle Gaza’s central city after the Israeli government ordered expanded ground incursions along the eastern border.
Israel’s “second phase” of the three-week conflict with Hamas militants has been shrouded in secrecy, characterized by covert movements under the cover of darkness and a telecommunications blackout that has severed communication for Palestinians.
While phone and internet services briefly improved on Sunday, telecoms provider Paltel reported that Israeli airstrikes once again disrupted internet and phone service in parts of northern Gaza, where Hamas maintains command centres. These outages have severely impeded rescue efforts for casualties resulting from Israeli attacks.
Reports of strikes near hospitals followed Israeli authorities’ warnings to immediately evacuate al-Quds hospital, where approximately 14,000 people had sought shelter, as conveyed by the Palestinian Red Crescent. Concerns also loomed over ongoing Israeli threats to Shifa Hospital, where around 50,000 people had taken refuge, as reported by Reuters.
Since Hamas militants crossed into Israel on October 7, Israel has imposed a tightened blockade and conducted airstrikes in Gaza, with Israeli authorities alleging that the militants killed approximately 1,400 people and took at least 239 hostages.
The post Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza hospitals in early morning assault appeared first on Khaama Press.