Image Credits: Al Jazeera
Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip early Friday morning, targeting several locations, including Khan Younis in the south. According to Al Jazeera’s correspondent on the ground, the Bureiji refugee camp is in the center and Gaza City is in the north.
The attacks take place amid an escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has already resulted in serious casualties and widespread destruction. Hard-hit areas of Khan Younis are bearing the brunt of the latest attacks, with residents searching through the ruins of their homes and neighbourhoods as rescue operations are underway.
In southern Khan Younis, the Israeli army fired live shots at an ambulance that was trying to evacuate the wounded. The incident occurred as Israeli ground forces expanded their incursion into the region, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The airstrikes coincide with high-profile diplomatic efforts in Washington, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The United States is demanding a cessation of hostilities and the gradual release of Hamas prisoners in Gaza.
In the same context, eleven Palestinians were released from Israeli prisons and a 17-year-old boy told Al Jazeera that he was tortured to get information about Hamas and the whereabouts of the prisoners. This highlights the serious human rights issues associated with the ongoing conflict.
The death toll in Gaza has risen to staggering levels, with at least 39,175 Palestinians killed and 90,403 injured since the conflict began. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with countless civilians caught in the crossfire and critical infrastructure severely damaged or destroyed.