Over 76 fatalities reported in Gaza City alone as nearly half a million residents flee amid relentless Israeli bombardment of the coastal enclave’s primary urban hub.
Since early morning, at least 91 Palestinians have lost their lives throughout the Gaza Strip, with Israeli forces intensifying airstrikes on Gaza City, the densely populated heart of the blockaded territory.
Medical personnel across Gaza’s hospitals informed Al Jazeera on Saturday that 76 of these casualties occurred specifically within Gaza City, where the Israeli military has been aggressively attempting to displace the entire population in recent weeks.
In the Tuffah district, a drone strike by Israeli forces claimed the lives of at least six individuals. Meanwhile, in the Shati refugee camp located in western Gaza City, an Israeli attack resulted in the deaths of five people, including two young girls, according to ambulance workers reporting on the ground.
Israeli military sources estimate that approximately 20 high-rise buildings have been demolished in the area over the past fortnight.
The Gaza Civil Defence reports that roughly 450,000 residents-about half of Gaza City’s population-have fled since Israel announced its plan in August to seize control of the city.
Reporting from central Gaza, Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary described how Israeli forces are targeting civilians attempting to flee, following forced evacuation orders.
“The military is deploying quadcopters to strike those escaping their neighborhoods, with residents describing each explosion as resembling an earthquake,” she conveyed.
In a related development, Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, released what it termed a “farewell image” of 48 Israeli detainees held within Gaza on Saturday.
Hamas has repeatedly cautioned that escalating Israeli offensives and a potential ground invasion pose grave risks to the captives’ lives; some have already perished due to Israeli bombardments.
The group also asserts that these prisoners are dispersed across various neighborhoods within besieged Gaza City.
Al-Mawasi Crisis Deepens Amid Overcrowding
While the Israeli military escalates its destructive campaign in Gaza City, operations continue unabated in southern Gaza.
At least three individuals seeking humanitarian aid were killed by Israeli forces near a distribution point close to Rafah in southern Gaza.
Al Jazeera’s Khoudary highlighted the dire conditions in al-Mawasi, a southern Gaza area designated by Israel as a “safe zone” and the destination for Palestinians fleeing northern regions, describing it as severely overcrowded with limited options for shelter.
“People have resorted to setting up tents along streets devoid of water, electricity, or basic infrastructure,” she explained.
“This is a reflection of the lack of alternatives available to the displaced population.”
Michail Fotiadis, representing the medical NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF), characterized the situation in al-Mawasi as “devastating.”
“Everyone is searching for materials to erect shelters, but supplies are scarce. The humanitarian conditions are extremely challenging, with access to clean water being particularly problematic,” Fotiadis reported from al-Mawasi, which Israel labels a “humanitarian zone.”
He added that more Palestinians continue to arrive from northern Gaza, often arriving with nothing after fleeing the ongoing military assault.
“In crises like this, the instinct to survive is paramount. However, Palestinians in Gaza have endured repeated displacements and relentless fear, pushing them beyond the brink of despair.”
