▲ Palestinians flee Bureij refugee camp in the face of Israeli forces.Afp Photo

Reuters and Europa Press

The newspaper La Jornada
Monday, July 29, 2024, p. 28

Cairo, Israel continued its attacks yesterday by sending tanks into deeper areas of the southern Gaza Strip, while fighting against Hamas intensified.

The combat vehicles entered the towns of Karara, Zanna and Bani Suhaila, in the south of the Palestinian enclave, where medics said that at least nine Palestinians died yesterday as a result of the Israeli offensive.

Residents said they heard intense fighting in the eastern areas of Khan Younis, where the Israeli army is operating. These new incursions caused thousands of families to flee their homes and head to the populated areas of Deir Al Balah and Al Mawasi.

The latter is a humanitarian zone to which the Israeli army orders Palestinians to go.

Some areas in central Gaza, such as Bureij, Nuseirat camp and the village of Juhr El Deek, were also hit.

Several Israeli airstrikes on Khan Yunis killed at least 15 Palestinians, medics said. Another airstrike on tents in the Al Mawasi district killed five people, including a four-month-old baby.

Meanwhile, in Rafah, near the border with Egypt, Israeli forces advanced north of the city, where they do not yet have full control.

Four other people were killed in a bombing in the Tel Al Hawa neighbourhood in western Gaza City. The latest victim was not identified by authorities.

The Gazan Ministry of Health reported on social media that the offensive has so far left 39,324 dead and 90,830 wounded since the offensive began on October 7. It added that The Israeli occupation has committed three massacres against families in Gaza during the last 24 hours, with a balance of 66 martyrs and 241 injured.

In recent days, the Israeli army has said that the incursion into eastern Khan Younis is in response to the resumption of attacks, including rocket fire, and to prevent Hamas from regrouping. It added that its military forces had killed dozens of militants in the area and destroyed military infrastructure.