Overnight and into Friday, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 42 people, including women and children, according to hospital and emergency responders. Strikes targeted areas in central Gaza, such as Nuseirat, Zawaida, Maghazi, and Deir al-Balah, with dozens of casualties reported in previous attacks.
One victim, Abdul Rahman Al-Nabrisi, described the destruction of his home in the Maghazi refugee camp following a missile strike. Israeli military officials, however, said they had targeted Hamas positions across Gaza, including gathering points and command centers, and warned civilians to evacuate certain areas ahead of further attacks.
The death toll in Gaza continued to rise, with reports of additional casualties from airstrikes. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital confirmed the deaths of at least three people in a car strike in Zawaida, and Civil Defense officials reported the deaths of several individuals, including children, in the Shijaiyah neighborhood of Gaza City. Meanwhile, freelance journalist Omar al-Derawi was killed in the strikes, with the Committee to Protect Journalists noting that over 130 Palestinian reporters have been killed since the war began.
Israeli forces also faced attacks, including missile strikes from Yemen, which triggered air raid sirens in Jerusalem and central Israel. While there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, the missile launches were claimed by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. This ongoing exchange of fire reflects the broader regional dimensions of the conflict, involving multiple actors with vested interests in the war’s outcome.
Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Kill 42 as Civilian Casualties Rise Amid Intensifying Regional Conflict
Concerns regarding the safety of hospitals in northern Gaza escalated as staff at Al-Awda and Indonesian hospitals reported evacuation orders from the Israeli military. However, Israel’s military denied these claims, stating that no evacuation orders had been issued for the hospitals.
These conflicting reports highlight the difficulty in verifying information from Gaza, where Israel imposes heavy movement restrictions, and foreign journalists are barred from entry. The situation has placed additional strain on Gaza’s already devastated healthcare system.
Meanwhile, indirect ceasefire negotiations continued in Qatar, though they have stalled multiple times during the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized intelligence and military officials to pursue the talks, despite his pledge to continue the offensive until Hamas is defeated.
The war, which began with the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, has caused immense suffering on both sides, with more than 45,500 Palestinians reported killed. The toll includes significant civilian casualties, as the war has displaced a large portion of Gaza’s population, leaving many without shelter during the harsh winter.
