Israeli forces have intensified military operations targeting eastern and southern neighbourhoods of Gaza City, resulting in at least 50 deaths across Gaza since dawn, including 12 people seeking aid. The military is preparing to take Gaza City, the enclave's largest urban centre, despite international concern over potential high casualties and displacement of roughly one million Palestinians sheltering there. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that expanded operations signal a new and dangerous phase and would force hundreds of thousands of already exhausted civilians to flee again. Residents report families fleeing toward the coast; Gaza's Civil Defence says over 1,500 homes have been demolished in Zeitoun.
At least 50 people have been killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza since dawn on Thursday, including 12 aid seekers, medical sources told Al Jazeera, as residents report intensified military bombardment of the eastern and southern neighbourhoods of Gaza City. The Israeli military has been preparing to take Gaza City, the enclave's largest urban centre, despite international calls to reconsider the move over fears that the operation would cause significant casualties and displace the roughly one million Palestinians sheltering there.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was among those criticising the campaign, saying on Thursday that it signals a new and dangerous phase in the war. Expanded military operations in Gaza City will have devastating consequences. Hundreds of thousands of civilians, already exhausted and traumatised, would be forced to flee yet again, pushing families into even deeper peril, he said. This must stop, he said.
In Gaza City, residents said families were fleeing their homes and most were heading towards the coast as Israeli forces bombarded the Shujayea, Zeitoun and Sabra neighbourhoods. No buildings remain standing in the southern part of Zeitoun as the Israeli ground operation has demolished more than 1,500 homes, according to Gaza's Civil Defence agency. Israeli officials have described Gaza City as the last stronghold of Hamas.
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