Israeli forces have killed at least 91 Palestinians in Gaza on Saturday, according to local medical sources. Among the victims are the family members of a prominent Palestinian doctor and four people trying to escape northern Gaza City.
The deaths occurred during continued Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults aimed at capturing Gaza City, the largest urban area in the Gaza Strip, and forcing its residents into designated zones in the south.
The strikes hit a range of targets, including residential homes, schools that had been converted into shelters, tents housing displaced people, and a truck carrying civilians fleeing the conflict.
At least 76 people were killed in the bombings including Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya’s family members. Dr. Abu Salmiya, the director of Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital, lost his brother, sister-in-law, and their children when the family home was struck early on Saturday.
Dr. Abu Salmiya, working in the hospital’s emergency department, expressed his shock stating, “I was shocked and devastated to see the bodies of my brother and his wife. Anything is possible now, as you receive your dearest ones as martyrs or wounded.”
The ongoing conflict has already claimed the lives of approximately 1,700 health workers, with around 400 others imprisoned since Israel began its offensive in October 2023, according to news agencies.
Another attack struck a group of Palestinians in a truck attempting to flee Gaza City, killing at least four individuals and leaving their bloodied bodies on the street.
The attack took place in Gaza City’s Nasr neighbourhood, where people were attempting to escape from the relentless Israeli bombardment, artillery strikes, and drone fire.
The victims were among thousands fleeing from continuous airstrikes, artillery shelling, and quadcopter fire, reports Al Jazeera.
“Israeli forces have also been using explosives-laden robots that are wiping out entire areas and causing endless damage,” Hind Khoudary, an Al Jazeera reporter in Palestine, reported. “Some residents say it feels like an earthquake every time they explode.”
Rescue efforts have been hindered by the dangerous situation on the ground. Medics and rescuers were unable to reach trapped or injured Palestinians due to the perilous circumstances.
The Palestinian Civil Defence in Gaza reported that the Israeli assault, which started in August, has driven over 450,000 people from Gaza City. Initially, the city had about one million residents.
The Israeli military, in its campaign, claims to have destroyed as many as 20 high-rise buildings in Gaza City over the past two weeks.
Meanwhile, those who fled the city are struggling to find shelter. Many Palestinians are forced to set up tents in areas lacking basic necessities like water, electricity, and infrastructure.
Hamas has also warned that the remaining 48 hostages in Gaza are scattered throughout Gaza City and may be at increased risk due to the Israel’s ongoing offensive. The group’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades, shared a “farewell picture” of the captives on Saturday, signaling the growing danger faced by those still held.
