“WE NEED TO KNOW THEY ARE ALIVE”
Forward of the ceasefire, preventing continued at even better than regular depth, with Israeli jets hitting greater than 300 targets and troops engaged in heavy preventing round Jabalia refugee camp north of Gaza Metropolis.
A military spokesman mentioned operations would proceed till troops acquired the order to cease.
The Indonesian hospital in Gaza Metropolis was reeling beneath relentless bombing, working with out mild and full of bedridden previous folks and youngsters, Gaza well being officers mentioned.
Worldwide alarm has targeted on the destiny of hospitals, particularly in Gaza’s northern half, the place all medical amenities have ceased functioning with sufferers, employees and displaced folks trapped inside.
Hamas mentioned 30 folks had been killed in an Israeli strike on a college affiliated with the UNRWA in Jabalia. There was no rapid remark from UNRWA.
Earlier, from throughout the border fence in Israel, clouds of smoke may very well be seen billowing above northern Gaza’s battle zone accompanied by the sounds of heavy gunfire and booming explosions.
In Rafah, on the strip’s southern edge, residents combed with naked fingers via the ruins of a home smashed in an enormous crater. A gray-bearded man wailed amid the shattered masonry whereas one other man lay a hand on his shoulder to consolation him. Neighbour Khaled Hamad informed Reuters it was the house of a major faculty trainer, killed inside along with his youngsters.
Israel says Hamas fighters use residential and different civilian buildings, together with hospitals, as cowl. Hamas denies this.
The delay to the beginning of the truce meant one other day of fear for Israeli family who say they nonetheless know nothing concerning the destiny of hostages, and of concern for Palestinian households trapped contained in the Gaza fight zone.
“We have to know they’re alive, in the event that they’re okay. It is the minimal,” mentioned Gilad Korngold, determined for any details about the destiny of seven of his relations, together with his 3-year-old granddaughter, believed to be among the many hostages.
Palestinian media reported at the least 15 folks killed in air strikes on Khan Younis, Gaza’s fundamental southern metropolis. Reuters couldn’t independently confirm the toll there.
In a put up on X, Docs With out Borders mentioned town’s Nasser hospital, the place it treats burn sufferers and helps the emergency room, was overflowing with sufferers and households sheltering within the constructing.
Israel mentioned on Thursday it had detained the pinnacle of Gaza’s greatest hospital Al Shifa for questioning over his position in what it mentioned was the hospital’s use as a Hamas command centre.
Hamas condemned the arrest of Shifa director Muhammad Abu Salamiya and different docs it mentioned have been attempting to evacuate remaining sufferers and wounded from the power.