Israeli Military Operation in Gaza Leaves Multiple Casualties and Displaced Civilians
A devastating Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip has resulted in multiple casualties and displaced hundreds of civilians, with eyewitnesses describing intense bombing and artillery shelling in the densely populated region. The attack, which began overnight, targeted the Al-Salateen neighbourhood in western Beit Lahia, with local residents reporting smoke bomb barrages followed by intense artillery shelling from nearby Israeli positions.
According to Basheer al-Ghandour, a survivor who fled Beit Lahia for Jabalia after the attack, people were sleeping when suddenly "intense bombing" hit overnight. "It came from all sides – air strikes and warships. My brother’s house collapsed. There were 25 people inside," he told the BBC. Al-Ghandour said 11 people were injured and five killed, including his nieces, aged five and 18, and a 15-year-old nephew. He and others tried to free relatives from the rubble, but his brother’s wife remains under the rubble.
The BBC spoke to multiple survivors who described the harrowing experience of trying to escape the intense shelling. Yousif Salem, another survivor, said he and his three children had "just escaped death". "An air strike hit our neighbours’ home – none of them survived," he said. He described artillery shells beginning to hit near their house as they were trapped inside, and a quadcopter drone opening fire when he tried to leave.
The Israeli military operation appears to be expanding, with Israeli aircraft dropping leaflets early Friday over several areas in north Gaza calling on residents to evacuate the areas immediately. The evacuation orders sparked panic among families who have been displaced multiple times since the war began. Many have nowhere else to go. "I swear I don’t know where we’re going," said Sana Marouf, who was fleeing with her family on a donkey cart in Gaza City. "We don’t have mattresses, blankets, food or water."
Witnesses reported that Israeli armoured vehicles surrounded a school sheltering hundreds of displaced civilians. The attack has left many questioning the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with the region’s infrastructure and civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has not commented on the operation, but the BBC understands that the military is seeking to expand its presence in one of Gaza’s most densely populated regions.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the international community is calling for an end to the violence and a return to peace negotiations. The United Nations has repeatedly expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where millions of civilians are living in dire conditions. The BBC will continue to provide updates on the situation as more information becomes available.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is deepening, with thousands of civilians displaced and in need of assistance. The BBC’s reporting is based on eyewitness accounts and information from the ground, providing a firsthand insight into the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the people of Gaza are paying a heavy price for the ongoing violence.
The source of this article is the BBC, which has been reporting on the situation in Gaza. According to the BBC, "the attack began with smoke bomb barrages followed by intense artillery shelling from nearby Israeli positions." The BBC also spoke to multiple survivors, including Basheer al-Ghandour and Yousif Salem, who described the harrowing experience of trying to escape the intense shelling.
The BBC’s reporting on the situation in Gaza provides a detailed account of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. With thousands of civilians displaced and in need of assistance, the situation is dire. The BBC will continue to provide updates on the situation as more information becomes available.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
