At least 31 Palestinians were reported killed in Gaza City on Saturday, as Israel escalated its military offensive in the region. Medical officials confirmed the casualties amid ongoing international criticism of the conflict. The total number of fatalities across the Gaza Strip reached 47 on that day, with the Israeli military not providing immediate comment on the developments.
As the conflict continues, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly. The Israeli news portal ynet reported heavy bombardment and described a “ring of fire” engulfing various parts of Gaza City, citing Palestinian sources. According to the Israeli military, approximately 480,000 Palestinians have fled the city, which previously housed about 1 million residents, seeking refuge in the al-Mawasi area in the southwest, designated as a “humanitarian zone.”
The health authorities in Gaza have indicated that the overall death toll since the onset of the war exceeds 65,000. While the figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants, it is widely believed that the majority of those killed are civilians. Many displaced individuals have expressed despair at their circumstances.
“The situation is really bad. All night long, the tank was firing shells,” said Toufic Abu Mouawad, a displaced individual who has no safe haven. “I want to flee with the boys, the girls, the children. This is the situation that we are living in. It is a very tragic situation. We call on all the Arab countries and the people who have a good conscience to stand with us.”
Israeli forces have gained control over Gaza City’s eastern suburbs, with recent bombardments targeting the Sheikh Radwan and Tel al-Hawa neighborhoods. These areas are strategic for advancing into central and western Gaza City, where many civilians are currently sheltering. On Thursday, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) estimated that around 350,000 people had left Gaza City since the beginning of September, leaving an estimated 600,000 still in the city.
Satellite images reviewed by Reuters showed new tents appearing in southern areas of Gaza City after September 5, indicating a growing number of displaced individuals. Crowds were also observed on the al-Rashid road, along with vehicles on the Salah al-Din road. The military had previously dropped leaflets over Gaza City, advising civilians that they could use the recently reopened Salah al-Din road to escape south.
The IDF reported that an airstrike had killed Mahmoud Yusuf Abu Alkhir, identified as the deputy head of military intelligence in Hamas’ Bureij Battalion. According to the military, he had participated in attacks against Israeli forces.
The war was triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people in Israel and the abduction of 251 individuals taken back to the Gaza enclave. Families of the remaining hostages have been urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt military actions and negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas, in hopes of securing the release of their loved ones.
On the Israeli side of the border, protests have emerged, with demonstrators calling for an end to the war. They held banners with messages including “Stop the genocide in Gaza” and “Free Gaza, isolate Israel.” The armed wing of Hamas has stated that the hostages are dispersed throughout Gaza City, asserting that the continuation of military operations would prevent the safe return of any captives, whether alive or deceased.
As the situation in Gaza remains critical, the international community continues to call for diplomatic efforts to restore peace and address the humanitarian crisis affecting countless civilians.
