
Israeli forces have intensified air and ground attacks on large parts of Gaza City, amid preparations for a possible ground offensive in the heart of the Palestinian enclave.
Residents report incessant explosions in the northern and eastern parts of the city, while the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate for nearly a million civilians still there.
Israeli troops have also returned to the Jabalia refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip, destroying buildings to prevent, as the Israeli military says, the return of Hamas fighters to these areas.
According to the Hamas-led Ministry of Health in Gaza, 64 casualties and nearly 300 injured in Israeli attacks have been recorded in the last 24 hours. The total number of people killed since the start of the war, on October 7, 2023, has reached 62,686, while another 157,951 have been injured.
Israel's military operation was launched in response to the unprecedented Hamas attack in southern Israel, where some 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that he will continue the offensive until the total destruction of Hamas, despite harsh international criticism of the escalation of the conflict and the consequences on civilians.
Israel has announced the mobilization of 60,000 reservists to participate in the new phase of the operation, while air and tank strikes have also hit the Zeitoun, Shejayia and Sabra neighborhoods of Gaza City during the night.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the return of troops to Jabalia is aimed at expanding the controlled areas and preventing Hamas from rebuilding its networks in the previous areas.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that one of its IDF employees detained in Gaza on July 21 has been released. No details have been given on the identity of the person or the reasons for his detention.