More than 80 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, most of them in Gaza City, local hospitals said. Women and children were among at least 20 who died when a strike hit a building and tents sheltering displaced families near Firas market in Gaza City's central Daraj neighbourhood overnight, according to first responders.
The Israeli military stated it struck two Hamas fighters and that the number of casualties did not align with its own information. Meanwhile, Israeli tanks and troops continued their advance into the heart of the city, which Israel claims is the last stronghold of Hamas.
The military indicated that the ground offensive aims to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and ensure the Palestinian armed group's decisive defeat. Hundreds of thousands of residents have fled Gaza's biggest urban centre, where dire humanitarian conditions persist, exacerbated by collapsing health services.
In a separate development, US special envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned President Donald Trump's proposed 21-point plan for peace in the Mideast and Gaza, presented to Arab and Muslim leaders at the UN General Assembly.
Hospitals in Gaza City reported receiving over 60 bodies since midnight, with a considerable number resulting from an Israeli strike on a warehouse sheltering displaced individuals near Firas market. Video footage showed the scale of destruction and humanitarian devastation, prompting officials and healthcare workers to express urgent calls for aid and intervention amidst the growing crisis.
As the situation deteriorates, the IDF reiterated that their operations are intended to diminish Hamas' control, while numerous civilian families remain trapped in the conflict, escalating calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and negotiations for peace.
The Israeli military stated it struck two Hamas fighters and that the number of casualties did not align with its own information. Meanwhile, Israeli tanks and troops continued their advance into the heart of the city, which Israel claims is the last stronghold of Hamas.
The military indicated that the ground offensive aims to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and ensure the Palestinian armed group's decisive defeat. Hundreds of thousands of residents have fled Gaza's biggest urban centre, where dire humanitarian conditions persist, exacerbated by collapsing health services.
In a separate development, US special envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned President Donald Trump's proposed 21-point plan for peace in the Mideast and Gaza, presented to Arab and Muslim leaders at the UN General Assembly.
Hospitals in Gaza City reported receiving over 60 bodies since midnight, with a considerable number resulting from an Israeli strike on a warehouse sheltering displaced individuals near Firas market. Video footage showed the scale of destruction and humanitarian devastation, prompting officials and healthcare workers to express urgent calls for aid and intervention amidst the growing crisis.
As the situation deteriorates, the IDF reiterated that their operations are intended to diminish Hamas' control, while numerous civilian families remain trapped in the conflict, escalating calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and negotiations for peace.
