GAZA: The health ministry in Gaza said on Wednesday that at least 40,534 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the ongoing Israeli bombardment campaign in Gaza since October 7. The latest figures reveal that 58 people were killed in the past 24 hours alone, with nearly 94,000 wounded since the onset of the conflict.
On Wednesday, Israeli forces intensified their operations in Gaza, sending tanks deeper into Khan Younis, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, and launching widespread strikes across the region. The Israeli military’s actions resulted in at least 34 more Palestinian deaths on Wednesday. The offensive included a surprise tank advance into Khan Younis, leading to a chaotic situation where many residents were forced to evacuate while others remained trapped.
The strikes in Khan Younis claimed the lives of at least 11 people. In the central Gaza city of Deir Al-Balah, an Israeli airstrike near a school sheltering displaced families killed eight Palestinians. In Nuseirat, also in central Gaza, an attack on the home of journalist Mohammed Abed-Rabbo and his sister resulted in their deaths. This incident has raised the number of Palestinian journalists killed by Israeli fire to 172 since October 7.
The recent escalation has led to widespread condemnation from Palestinians, international bodies, and relief organizations. The United Nations and humanitarian agencies have voiced concerns over the increasing displacement of Gaza’s population and the shrinking of humanitarian zones.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with most of the 2.4 million residents having been displaced multiple times. The enclave faces severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies.
Meanwhile, Israel has also expanded its military operations to the West Bank. On Wednesday, Israeli forces conducted a large-scale raid across four cities—Jenin, Nablus, Tubas, and Tulkarem. The operation involved airstrikes, ground forces, and bulldozers. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that the raids resulted in the deaths of at least 10 Palestinians, with 15 others wounded.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cut short a visit to Saudi Arabia to address the situation in the West Bank.
