Dozens Killed in Israeli Strike on Residential Building in South Gaza
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Palestinian news agency Wafa reported a devastating Israeli strike on Khan Younis in Gaza resulting in the deaths of dozens, primarily children.
Saturday morning's attack marked a significant escalation of airstrikes specifically targeting southern Gaza by Israel.
The director of Nasser hospital confirmed receiving 26 deceased individuals and 23 severely injured following a strike on a residential building in Hamad city.
For the past 42 days, the Israeli military has relentlessly bombarded northern Gaza, urging residents to seek refuge in the south.
Israel's strike on Khan Younis followed warnings to Palestinians in the southern city to relocate west, signaling an imminent attack.
The conflict's 43rd day saw the death toll in Gaza surpassing 12,000, with a majority being women and children.
Israeli troops ordered the evacuation of Gaza City's largest hospital, al-Shifa Hospital, instructing individuals to leave within the hour amid combing operations.
The United Nations estimated over 2,300 individuals, including patients, staff, and displaced Palestinians, sought shelter at al-Shifa before Israeli troops entered on Wednesday.
The health ministry in Gaza reported numerous deaths due to power cuts caused by fuel shortages amidst intense combat.
Israel has made repeated calls for the hospital to be evacuated to the south, however medical professionals argue that moving them is not feasible.
Hospital director Mohammed Abu Salmiya revealed that Israeli troops instructed the evacuation of patients, wounded, displaced, and medical staff, directing them to move on foot towards the seafront.
Since November 11, forty patients at al-Shifa Hospital have died due to electricity shortages, as per the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
In an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, Munir al-Barsh from the Palestinian Ministry of Health stated that Israeli forces removed over 100 bodies from al-Shifa Hospital, including 15 from a mass grave, totaling around 130.
The remaining operational hospitals in Gaza are on the verge of collapse as more injured and deceased continue to arrive.
In the West Bank's Nablus city, an Israeli airstrike targeted a building in a refugee camp, resulting in the death of at least five Palestinians and several injuries.
The strike hit the local headquarters of the Palestinian Fatah resistance movement at Balata refugee camp early Saturday, with witnesses suggesting it might have come from a drone.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported five serious injuries from the attack, all men aged 19 to 25.
Haaretz claimed that four of those killed were affiliated with the Fatah faction's armed wing, al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade.
Elsewhere in Tubas, an 18-year-old Palestinian, Omar al-Shahrouri, was killed, and two others were injured as clashes erupted after Israeli forces stormed the area.
According to Palestinian medics, three young men sustained gunshot injuries during the clashes, one of whom died upon arrival at the hospital.
Israeli forces shot and killed two young Palestinians in the southern part of the occupied West Bank over an alleged shooting attempt, as stated by the Israeli regime's military.
The military alleged that the pair opened fire on Israeli troops stationed near Zaytoun Junction, prompting fatal retaliation.
The West Bank has witnessed increased Israeli raids, arrests, and protests in solidarity with Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 186 Palestinians, including 51 children.
Israel's relentless air and ground attacks on Gaza, targeting hospitals, residences, and places of worship, have intensified since the launch of the Al-Aqsa Storm operation by Palestinian resistance movements on October 7.