Gaza death toll climbs: 100 killed in a day of Israeli strikes

The Gaza Civil Defence reported on Friday that up to 100 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks and massacres in northern Gaza over the preceding 24 hours.

Spokesman Mahmoud Basal stated that 75 of the casualties occurred due to Israeli airstrikes targeting two homes in Beit Lahia, while the remaining victims were struck in Jabalia and other northern Gaza areas.

He further revealed that the death toll since the commencement of the Israeli military operation in northern Gaza on 5 October has risen to 2,700, with an additional 10,000 people injured, according to Anadolu.

Basal described the conditions in northern Gaza as catastrophic, claiming that it amounts to genocide and highlighting the absence of any relief efforts for civilians. He alleged that the Israeli army attacks any individual in the region, even targeting those searching for water, food, or firewood.

The large-scale Israeli ground operation in northern Gaza, which began on 5 October, is purportedly aimed at preventing the Palestinian resistance group Hamas from regrouping. Palestinians, however, accuse Israel of attempting to occupy the territory and forcibly displace its residents.

Since the operation started, humanitarian aid — including food, medicine, and fuel — has been almost entirely restricted, leaving the population, estimated at 80,000, on the brink of starvation.

The overall Israeli offensive, which followed the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks, has reportedly caused over 44,000 deaths in Gaza, rendering the area uninhabitable.

Last week, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Additionally, Israel is facing genocide charges at the International Court of Justice regarding its actions in Gaza.