Israel Kills 55 More Palestinians in Gaza, Tightens Siege on North

Gaza’s Health Ministry said Tuesday that Israeli forces killed at least 55 Palestinians and injured 329 over the previous 24-hour period, bringing its death toll since last October to 42,344 and the number of wounded to 99,013.

The figures are based on the number of dead and wounded Palestinians that have arrived at hospitals and morgues. “There are still a number of victims under the rubble and on the streets, and ambulance and civil defense crews cannot reach them,” the ministry said.

Israel continues to escalate attacks on northern Gaza, tightening its siege on the Jabalia refugee. According to Reuters, at least 17 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire near al-Falouja in Jabalia. Israeli strikes destroyed three houses in a suburb of Gaza City, and at least two bodies were recovered, but rescuers were searching for 12 missing people.

Israeli strikes also hit areas of central and southern Gaza. In the southern city of Khan Younis, an Israeli missile struck a house, killing 10 members of the same family who were inside.

Oxfam and 37 other humanitarian organizations published a joint statement warning that the Israeli assault on Gaza has reached a “horrifying level of atrocity,” saying the situation in the north is “catastrophic.”

“Northern Gaza is being wiped off the map. Under the guise of “evacuation,” Israeli forces have ordered the forced displacement of an estimated 400,000 Palestinians trapped in northern Gaza, including Gaza City. This is not an evacuation—this is forced displacement under gunfire,” the statement reads. “Since 1 October, no food has been allowed into the area, and civilians are being starved and bombed in their homes and their tents.”

Israeli media has reported that Israel is carrying out a “scaled-down” version of the “general’s plan,” which would result in the complete ethnic cleansing of northern Gaza and the extermination of anyone who stayed behind.