GAZA CITY: Fierce air and artillery strikes witnessed across Gaza on Monday as Israeli troops, supported by tanks, pushed deeper into the Palestinian enclave with the launch an expanded ground offensive.
Israel’s military reported striking more than 600 sites in recent days as their ground operations in the Gaza Strip expanded. Palestinian civilians, already in dire need of essential supplies, including fuel, food, and clean water, are facing an increasingly precarious situation amidst the ongoing Israeli brutalities.
In an attempt to isolate the city, Israeli forces conducted several air strikes on its eastern side, while tanks were reported rolling in amid heavy exchanges of fire. To the west, along the Mediterranean coast, the north-south coastal road was repeatedly hit, further complicating communication lines. Internet and phone connections remained largely disrupted in the north.
Hospitals Under Israeli Attacks in Gaza
Despite Israeli warnings, many Palestinians have chosen to remain in Gaza City, fearing the loss of their homes and alarmed by reports of Israeli air strikes targeting areas further south. Medical officials at Al-Shifa and Al-Quds hospitals reported strikes in close proximity to their buildings, raising concerns about the safety of patients and healthcare providers.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that 117,000 Palestinian civilians are taking shelter alongside thousands of patients and medical staff in hospitals in the northern region.
The conflict has sparked global demonstrations in support of the Palestinians. In a concerning development, anti-Israel protesters in Russia stormed an airport, resulting in 60 arrests and 20 injuries. Israeli forces continue their ground attacks, leading to international appeals for a “humanitarian pause” to facilitate aid deliveries.
The conflict’s escalating violence raises apprehensions of potential spillover into neighboring regions, including Lebanon, where Israeli forces and Hezbollah group have engaged in exchanges of fire. Meanwhile, Syrian state TV reported Israeli air strikes targeting two army posts in Daraa, leading to ” material losses.”
