As the Israeli army bombarded central and southern Gaza by land, sea and air, Palestinian authorities reported dozens of casualties and the United Nations health agency said thousands were trying to escape. flee the expanding offensive.
Residents of the central Gaza Strip said that as night fell, Israeli tank shelling intensified Wednesday east of the already overcrowded refugee camps of Bureij, Maghazi and Nuseirat, where tanks tried to make his way.
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said additional reinforcements had been sent to the southern part of the Palestinian territory, on the outskirts of Khan Younis.
Israeli forces continued their operations in the northern part of the enclave, leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fleeing with no safe place to shelter.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said its staff had seen thousands of people flee violent strikes in Khan Younis on foot, on donkeys or in cars. Makeshift shelters were built along the road.
“WHO is extremely concerned about this new displacement of people which will further strain health facilities in the south, which are already struggling to meet the immense needs of the population,” said Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative. WHO for the occupied Palestinian territories.
“This mass and forced movement of people will also lead to increased overcrowding, increased risk of infectious diseases and make the delivery of humanitarian aid even more difficult. »
