Agencies
Palestinian Territories
Israel’s army sent tanks deeper into southern Gaza as health officials said attacks killed 66 Palestinians, and injured 241 across the besieged enclave in the past 24 hours.
Armoured vehicles pushed into the three towns of al-Karara, az-Zanna, and Bani Suheila in eastern Khan Younis city. Medics said at least nine Palestinians were killed by Israeli military strikes in those areas.
Residents said fierce fighting could be heard. The new incursions caused thousands more Palestinians to flee their homes and head to overcrowded al-Mawasi to the west and central Deir el-Balah.
Meanwhile in Rafah, near the border with Egypt, Israeli forces advanced into the northern parts of the besieged city.
Tanks also shelled areas in central Gaza including the Bureij and Nuseirat refugee camps and Juhor ad-Dik village.
The number of people killed following two Israeli strikes on Khan Younis has risen to six, with a child among the dead.
With attacks ongoing, medical sources told Al Jazeera that 15 bodies have so far arrived at Nasser Hospital in southern Khan Younis since dawn.
The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders on Saturday for Khan Younis that further expand into an area where displaced Palestinians have been forced to shelter. The latest order comes a week after the army began a new ground invasion, months after launching an offensive there.
The Khan Younis assault displaced at least 180,000 Palestinians in the first days since it began.
At least 39,324 people have been killed and 90,830 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza.
An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 and more than 200 taken captive.
Meanwhile the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has said families in Gaza have extremely limited access to clean water, hygiene products and cleaning supplies. This is leading to an increase in disease and skin infections.
In a post on X, UNRWA said it “continues to work to prevent the spread of infections but resources are limited. We need safe and unimpeded humanitarian access”.
Earlier this month, poliovirus was detected in samples of sewage water in the densely populated Gaza Strip, placing “thousands” of Palestinians at risk of contracting the highly infectious disease that can cause paralysis in children.
