Israeli army kills 12 Palestinians in Gaza attacks

By Anadolu staff

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - The Israeli army killed 12 Palestinians in a series of raids across the Gaza Strip, with more bodies being recovered from areas previously vacated by Israeli forces.

Palestinian Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal stated that six Palestinians were killed in two Israeli airstrikes in Jabalia, northern Gaza, including one targeting a gathering of people.

In the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of northwestern Gaza City, another Palestinian was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a residential home, according to the statement.

In central Gaza, two Palestinians were killed in airstrikes on a home in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp and on a gathering in Deir al-Balah.

In Khan Younis, three Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike on a home in the Abasan al-Kabira town, eastern Khan Younis.

The Civil Defense spokesman also reported that rescue teams recovered nine bodies from areas in eastern Khan Younis that Israeli forces had vacated earlier.

On Friday morning, the Israeli army announced its withdrawal from several areas in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah, claiming to have "completed their mission" in these locations.

Following the army’s withdrawal, Palestinian social media activists shared photos and videos depicting widespread destruction caused by the Israeli attacks.

Israel has continued its offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

The onslaught has resulted in over 40,600 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, and over 93,800 injuries, according to local health authorities.

An ongoing blockade of Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, leaving much of the region in ruins.

Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered a halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar