At least 31 Palestinians were reported killed in Gaza City as Israeli military operations escalated in the region on Saturday, according to medical officials. This offensive continues despite widespread international criticism, with a total of 47 fatalities recorded across the Gaza Strip on the same day. The Israeli military has yet to release an official statement regarding these casualties.
The ongoing conflict has forced a significant portion of the population to flee. Reports indicate that approximately 480,000 Palestinians have already left Gaza City, which previously housed around one million residents. Many are attempting to reach al-Mawasi in the southwestern part of the territory, designated by Israel as a “humanitarian zone.” Health authorities in Gaza estimate that more than 65,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began, although this figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Most victims are believed to be civilians.
Displaced individuals have expressed despair over their situation. “The situation is really bad. All night long, the tank was firing shells,” stated Toufic Abu Mouawad, who recently left a camp for the displaced. “I want to flee with the boys, the girls, the children. This is the situation that we are living in. It is a very tragic situation. We call on all the Arab countries and the people who have a good conscience to stand with us.”
The Israeli military has maintained control over Gaza City’s eastern suburbs and has intensified attacks in areas such as Sheikh Radwan and Tel al-Hawa. These locations are strategically significant for potential advances into central and western Gaza, where many civilians are sheltering. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported that since early September, an estimated 350,000 people have evacuated Gaza City, leaving around 600,000 residents behind.
Satellite images taken on September 18 indicate the emergence of new tents in areas south of Gaza City, suggesting a growing humanitarian crisis. Additionally, the IDF has distributed leaflets advising residents to use the reopened Salah al-Din road to escape southward.
In a related development, the IDF confirmed an airstrike that killed Mahmoud Yusuf Abu Alkhir, identified as the deputy head of military intelligence in Hamas’ Bureij Battalion. The military accused him of participating in “terrorist attacks against Israeli troops and the state.”
The conflict escalated dramatically following a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in Israel and the abduction of 251 individuals into Gaza. Families of the remaining hostages are urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt military operations and negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas to secure the release of their loved ones.
Demonstrations have also erupted on the Israeli side of the border, where protestors are calling for an end to hostilities. Many held placards with messages such as “Stop the genocide in Gaza” and “Free Gaza, isolate Israel.” The armed wing of Hamas has stated that the hostages are distributed among various neighborhoods in Gaza City, warning that the ongoing military campaign would complicate future negotiations for their release.
As the situation continues to develop, the humanitarian implications of the conflict remain dire, with countless lives affected by the ongoing violence.
