Residents of Gaza City found themselves trapped in their homes and bodies lay uncollected in the streets due to a new intense Israeli assault on Thursday, while Washington advocated for a peace deal in Egypt and Qatar.
Hamas militants warned that the massive Israeli attack on Gaza City this week could undermine efforts to end the war just as negotiations were nearing a conclusion.
Gaza City, which housed more than a quarter of Gaza’s population before the war, was devastated during the initial weeks of fighting last year, but hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have since returned to the ruins of their homes. They have now been ordered to evacuate again by the Israeli military.
The Gaza health ministry reported people trapped and others killed inside their homes in the Tel Al Hawa and Sabra districts of Gaza City, with rescuers unable to reach them.
The Civil Emergency Service estimated that at least 30 people had been killed in the Tel Al-Hawa and Rimal areas, with bodies remaining in the streets there.
Despite the Israeli army’s instructions on Wednesday that residents of Gaza City could use two “safe routes” to head south, many residents refused to leave, posting the hashtag “We are not leaving” on social media.
“We will die but not leave for the south. We have endured starvation and bombs for nine months and are prepared to die as martyrs here,” said Mohammad Ali, 30, via text message.
Ali, whose family had relocated several times within the city, said they were running short on food, water, and medicine.
“The occupation bombs Gaza City as if the war was restarting. We hope for a ceasefire soon, but if not, it is God’s will.”
Nancy Mbamalu
Source: Reuters
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