Intense clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters near Gaza city

In the past 24 hours, 256 civilians lost their lives due to these airstrikes, taking toll to 9,061 casualties, including 3,760 children

Muslim Network TV Desk with inputs from agencies

GAZA, Palestine – Heavy clashes were reported on Thursday between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters outside the besieged Gaza city.

The Israeli army Chief of the General Staff, Herzi Halevi, confirmed that Israeli troops are surrounding and operating within Gaza Strip, intensifying their ground offensive.

Halevi emphasized the complexity of combat in the densely populated urban area, highlighting the need for professionalism and courage among the troops.

Palestinian fighters, including members of Hamas, have launched attacks on Israeli forces in various parts of Gaza City, utilizing mortar shells, rocket-propelled grenades, and engaging in close combat with infantry forces.

Israeli media reported the death of Lieutenant Colonel Salman Habaka, the commander of an armored brigade. He has become the 18th Israeli soldier to lose his life in heavy combat within the Gaza Strip over the past two days.

Israeli media reports indicate that 20 Hamas fighters were also killed during these clashes.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have taken a devastating toll on civilians in the Gaza Strip.

In the past 24 hours, at least 256 civilians have lost their lives due to these airstrikes.

Among the tragic incidents, 15 people were found dead in the rubble following an Israeli attack on the Bureij refugee camp.

Additionally, 27 individuals lost their lives in a separate bombing that targeted a United Nations and Health Ministry school.

The Gaza Strip’s authorities report that 195 people were killed, and 120 remain missing following an Israeli bombing in the Jabalia refugee camp.

An apartment block in the crowded Bureij refugee camp was also leveled, impacting the lives of 46,000 Palestinian refugees registered with the United Nations.

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has further deteriorated, with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reporting that the Israeli offensive has hindered the delivery of aid to approximately 300,000 displaced individuals.

Civilian casualties continue to rise, with a staggering total of 9,061 casualties, including 3,760 children and 32,000 more have been injured, as reported by the Hamas-affiliated Safa news agency.

On the Israeli side, 1,405 individuals have been killed, including 333 soldiers.

The Israeli military said it conducted over 12,000 airstrikes on Gaza since October 7.

In a concerning development, Israeli forces stormed al-Makassed hospital in occupied East Jerusalem, arresting at least 11 Palestinians.

These individuals, who were accompanying patients from the besieged Gaza enclave, had arrived in Jerusalem on Israeli-issued permits.

The arrests have raised significant concerns over humanitarian access and the treatment of patients.

In the occupied West Bank, following a suspected Palestinian attack that resulted in the death of an Israeli man in a shooting incident, Israeli settlers launched an attack on the Deir Sharaf village near Nablus.

Reports indicate that shops and cars were set ablaze by the settlers, escalating tensions in the region.

On Lebanon border, Hezbollah, claimed having deployed two drones that targeted an Israeli military position in the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms.

The drones used a significant amount of explosives and displayed high accuracy.

International response

Amid these developments, Bahrain has severed its economic ties with Israel and recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv in response to the “escalating aggression” against Gaza, as condemned by Bahrain’s parliament.

In a show of solidarity, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman initiated a national fundraising campaign for Palestinians in Gaza through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, with substantial donations of 50 million riyals and 20 million riyals, respectively.

Efforts are underway in Egypt to evacuate approximately 7,000 foreigners and dual nationals from the Gaza Strip, seeking to provide safety to those affected by the ongoing conflict.

Internationally, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have emphasized the urgent need to increase life-saving humanitarian assistance to Gaza, recognizing the dire humanitarian situation.

In a separate development, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced a ban in Europe on activities supporting Hamas, including the dissolution of the German branch of Samidoun, a network describing itself as a solidarity group for Palestinian prisoners.