Israel ramps up strikes on Gaza City and hospital says at least 32 are dead – The Washington Post
Gaza City faced its heaviest bombardment in two years of war on Tuesday, forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee as Israeli airstrikes and ground operations intensified. Local health officials reported at least 91 deaths in a single day, while entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called the offensive “horrendous,” as families scrambled to escape with whatever they could carry. Long lines of vans, donkey carts, and people on foot filled al-Rashid Street, heading south against a backdrop of smoke and destruction.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote on X: “Gaza is burning.”
Families Forced to Leave Everything Behind
In the early days of the offensive, many residents vowed to stay put. But as bombing escalated, striking homes, high-rise buildings, and even places of worship, many had no choice but to flee. On Tuesday, an airstrike hit a vehicle carrying people trying to escape, adding to the rising death toll.
At least 17 residential buildings were destroyed, including the Aybaki Mosque in the Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza.
Expanding Military Operations
Israel’s military has also deployed explosive-laden robots to target northern, southern, and eastern parts of the city. According to the rights group Euro-Med Monitor, about 15 of these machines are in use, each capable of destroying up to 20 housing units.
Despite the mass displacement, families fleeing south say there is no guarantee of safety, as the strikes continue across Gaza.
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