Over 50 individuals either perished or vanished following Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza, according to regional authorities.
Violence erupted in Gaza as 38 bodies arrived at Al Ahli Baptist Hospital, with 14 individuals still missing beneath the debris of homes and structures. Footage from two affected areas depicts widespread destruction and numerous casualties following massive blasts.
The Civil Defense Directorate reported that a house in Al Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza City, was targeted by Israeli aircraft, leaving several people trapped under the wreckage. Another attack occurred against a residential block in Al Shati, another neighborhood near Gaza City.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that their fighter jets struck Hamas military infrastructure in the Gaza City region. However, they failed to disclose the exact locations of the strikes, with CNN seeking additional information.
A medical rescue worker in the area described the strike on Al Shati camp as feeling like an "earthquake."
"Al Shati camp was targeted near Al Sousi Mosque, which was akin to an earthquake hitting an entire residential block.
"Entire families are buried underneath the destroyed houses."
Local resident Abu Mahmoud Al-Karir stated: "Minutes ago, people were going about their daily activities, shopping or staying at home.
"Then, the enemy's planes arrived and bombed this residential block. As you can observe, an entire block has been completely flattened. Previously tall buildings are now buried beneath the earth."
Following a strike that claimed at least 22 lives among civilians in southern Gaza on Friday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) voiced concern. The strike hit the displaced persons' tents in the Palestinian town of Mawasi, which Israeli military has identified as a humanitarian zone.
The IDF is investigating the incident but opined that preliminary findings indicate no involvement of their military.
Israel has been escalating its operation in Rafah, where it initiated an offensive last month as part of its campaign to dismantle Hamas in Gaza. A Gazan official asserted that Israel's military was advancing further into Rafah and was almost at the coast.
To date, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reports a total of 37,551 deaths and 85,911 injuries since October 7.
Israel initiated its offensive in Gaza following Hamas attacks on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties.
This story is still unfolding and will be updated. Khader Al-Za’anoun of Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency, contributed to this report.
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The Middle East is once again a topic of global concern due to the escalating conflict in Gaza.The world community is watching closely as the situation in Gaza continues to impact thousands of civilians in the region.
