Gaza: More than 100 Palestinians were killed in several attacks carried out by the Israeli army in northern Gaza at daybreak on Friday.
According to Anadolu Agency, medical sources revealed that the Israeli army conducted what were described as 'horrific massacres' targeting civilians, resulting in numerous casualties when an ambulance was hit in the town of Jabalia, northern Gaza. This attack is a continuation of assaults on medics and healthcare facilities.
Among those killed in the Israeli airstrikes was Zaher Elayyan, the police chief in Beit Hanoun town, northern Gaza, as confirmed by a statement from the Gaza police. The police statement called for urgent international intervention to pressure Israel to halt the targeting of police personnel, who are protected under international law.
"Since early Friday, rescue teams have recovered 50 bodies from under the rubble following Israeli airstrikes on 11 residential homes in northern Gaza," stated Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for Gaza Civil Defense, to Anadolu. He mentioned that over 50 others remain trapped beneath the debris, with the actual death toll expected to be higher due to emergency crews' inability to reach many areas amid ongoing bombardment.
Basal further noted that Israeli forces targeted both densely populated homes and paramedics attempting to rescue victims and retrieve bodies. "There are bodies still lying in the streets of Beit Lahia, Jabalia, Jabalia refugee camp, and Beit Hanoun," he said, highlighting the rescue teams' challenges in accessing these areas because of the intense strikes.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that since early Friday, 93 individuals labeled as martyrs and more than 200 injured have been admitted to Gaza's hospitals due to the continued Israeli attacks. Eyewitnesses informed Anadolu that hundreds of Palestinian families have evacuated northern Gaza's Beit Lahia, fleeing the wave of Israeli air and artillery strikes, with many families leaving on foot or using animal-drawn carts due to the destruction of roads and infrastructure.
The Palestinian group Hamas claimed that over 250 Palestinians have died in recent hours as Israel implements a 'scorched earth' policy across the Gaza Strip. Hamas accused Israel of committing "horrific massacres" and launching relentless attacks throughout the besieged territory.
Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli army has aggressively targeted the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of more than 53,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.