In the past 24 hours, the Gaza Strip has witnessed escalating violence, marked by fierce fighting and Israeli airstrikes in various areas, according to reports from both the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and sources within Gaza.
A disturbing video from the Jabalya refugee camp has surfaced, revealing the aftermath of a significant explosion that led to multiple civilian casualties. The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza reported that a family home in Jabalya was targeted, resulting in what they described as "tens" killed and injured.
Prior to the Jabalya incident, the Health Ministry in Gaza disclosed that, over the preceding 24 hours, 128 individuals had lost their lives, with an additional 261 sustaining injuries. Shockingly, the ministry's statistics indicate that since October 7, the total number of casualties in Gaza has surged to 22,313, with over 57,000 people injured. Alarming estimates from both Gaza and the occupied West Bank suggest that approximately 70% of these casualties are women and children.
CNN has reached out to the IDF for comments on its operations in the region, particularly regarding the recent developments in Jabalya. The network remains committed to providing updates on the situation as more information becomes available. However, CNN emphasizes the challenges in independently confirming the figures due to restricted access to the region and the difficulty in verifying accurate numbers amidst the ongoing conflict.
While some parts of Gaza have experienced relative calm following the withdrawal of certain Israeli units, intense combat persists in the Khan Younis area, as confirmed by both the IDF and Hamas' military wing.
The IDF reported uncovering a tunnel shaft inside a school in the Khirbet Khuza'a neighborhood of Khan Younis and engaging terrorists attempting to plant an explosive device on a tank. The IDF's statement indicated that troops, including armored corps and engineering forces, conducted targeted raids on central locations in the area, describing the battles in Khan Younis as intensive.
The situation in the Gaza Strip remains volatile, with the international community closely monitoring developments and expressing growing concerns over the humanitarian impact on the civilian population.