The Israeli military killed at least 53 Palestinians in Gaza on Thursday, according to medical sources cited by the Palestinian news agency WAFA, including dozens in the south, where the IDF is ordering Gaza City residents to flee.
WAFA reported that at least 29 bodies were brought to the Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis. According to The Associated Press, at least 14 of them were killed in an area where the Israeli military frequently fires on Palestinians attempting to get food.
The mass killing in southern Gaza comes a day after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said civilians in Gaza City had their “last opportunity” to flee before they will all be treated as “terrorists” and “terror supporters.” The IDF has been ordering evacuations from parts of Gaza City since early August, but never stopped bombing central and southern Gaza.
A large number of Palestinians were also killed in central Gaza on Thursday, with WAFA reporting that at least 13 bodies were brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah. Among those killed were four brothers who were targeted while collecting firewood.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said in its daily update, which it releases about midday Gaza time, that it recorded the Israeli killing of 77 Palestinians and the injury of 222 over the previous 24-hour period. Among the casualties were two Palestinians who were killed and 44 who were wounded while attempting to get aid.
The ministry said that its violent death toll since October 7, 2023, has reached 66,225, and the number of wounded has climbed to 168,938. Studies have found that the ministry’s numbers are likely a significant undercount.
