JERUSALEM: Israeli forces pounded central Gaza by land, sea and air and Palestinian authorities reported dozens more deaths, including 20 in one attack.

Gaza Health Ministry statement said an Israeli air strike killed 20 Palestinians on Wednesday near Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza Strip. There was no immediate comment from Israeli military. Telecommunications outage in much of enclave hindered efforts to reach Palestinian casualties overnight but was gradually coming back online at mid-morning.

In central Gaza’s Al-Maghazi district, five Palestinians were killed in one air strike, medics said, while to north in Gaza City health officials said bodies of seven Palestinians killed overnight arrived at Al Shifa Hospital. Residents also reported heavy fighting east and north of Al-Bureij district and in nearby village of Juhr Ad-Deek, where they said Israeli tanks are stationed.

Gaza Health Ministry said Israeli forces had killed 195 Palestinians and wounded 325 in past 24 hours, bringing recorded toll to 21,110 killed and 55,243 wounded in Israeli attacks in coastal Palestinian territory since October 7.

Nearly all enclave’s 2.3 million people have been driven from their homes, many several times.  Further highlighting difficulties in treating wounded in Gaza, World Health Organisation released footage, taken mostly on Monday and Tuesday at several hospitals, with WHO emergency medical team coordinator Sean Casey saying Gaza’s health capacity was 20 percent of what it was 80 days ago. International Committee of Red Cross said Palestinian Red Crescent Society compound in Khan Younis was hit.

It said on X strike had caused damage and spread panic those working there and displaced people sheltering in facility. In the Shejaia district of Gaza City, an Israeli attack on fighters on foot caused secondary explosions, indicating area was rigged with explosives to attack soldiers, military statement said. In Israeli-occupied West Bank, six youths were killed in an Israeli raid into city of Tulkarm, Palestinian Health Ministry said.

In an interview with Egyptian TV, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel intended to stay in Gaza after war “But whole world does not agree with it”. He said US could “Order” Israel to agree that Gaza become part of future Palestinian state.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 28 2023

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