Israeli airstrikes and a ground operation targeting the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza have resulted in at least 51 fatalities, as reported by the health ministry run by Hamas in Gaza.
Tanks reportedly advanced into several parts of the southern city and its surroundings on Tuesday night, with residents hearing gunfire and heavy shelling.
A wounded villager who reached the hospital told the BBC that “tanks stormed in” to his village without warning.
In a separate incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that it struck Hamas targets located within two schools in central and northern Gaza overnight.
The IDF claimed these strikes were aimed at Hamas operatives situated “inside compounds that previously served as schools.” Palestinian media reported that at least nine civilians were killed at one of these schools.
Israel’s ongoing airstrikes in Gaza followed a successful defense against a missile barrage from Iran and a ground invasion into Lebanon on the same day. The Israeli military described the advance into Lebanon as a “limited” operation, focusing on Hezbollah sites.
The IDF has yet to comment on the strikes in southern Gaza, which reportedly occurred at dawn on Wednesday.
A man from Qizan an-Najjar village, southeast of Khan Younis, shared with BBC Arabic that some of his relatives were among those killed in the attack.
“Tanks stormed into the area, accompanied by quadcopters that directly targeted us,” he said, speaking from Nasser Hospital where medical officials also gave updates on the death toll.
Another man at the hospital said: “We were in Qizan An-Najjar when suddenly, shells began to rain down on us from planes and tanks.”
A third man told BBC Arabic: “There was no prior warning. Following the rocket fire from Lebanon, we witnessed complete destruction. I barely survived; my daughter is injured, and my wife has a head injury that may lead to vision loss.”
He reported that Israeli forces had “completely destroyed” a house where displaced families were taking shelter.
On Wednesday, the health ministry cautioned that the death toll could increase, as another 82 individuals were injured in the strikes.
Hamas gunmen launched an attack on Israel on October 7 of last year, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 hostages.
In response, Israel initiated a military campaign in Gaza that has claimed a total of 41,689 lives, according to the health ministry.
Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest urban area, has been directly targeted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) multiple times, including two significant ground operations in August and July 2024.
The area was also subjected to heavy bombing during the early months of the war in December 2023.