Casualties reported as Israeli jets strike hospital in northern Gaza

By Mustafa Haboush

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - An Israeli airstrike targeted a hospital in northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday amid reports of casualties.

“Casualties were reported among patients and medical staff in the strike that targeted Awda Hospital in Jabalia town,” Munir al-Barsh, a health official, told Anadolu.

The Israeli army said Tuesday it has completely encircled the Jabalia area in northern Gaza in preparation for an expected heavy ground fighting with Palestinians.

The area includes the Jabalia refugee camp and the Jabalia town, the most densely populated area in Gaza.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

Authorities in Gaza said Monday that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the enclave since Oct. 7 has jumped to over 13,300, including 5,600 children and 3,550 women.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques, and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel’s air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.