In South Gaza, Battles Rage As Heavy Rain Hits Displaced People

(CTN News) – In Gaza’s Khan Younis, Israel pressed on with its campaign against Hamas despite bad weather that hit Palestinian refugees seeking shelter further north.

In Khan Younis, an area of southern Gaza that has become the focus of Israel’s ground offensive against Hamas, residents reported heavy aerial and tank fire.

In southwest Khan Younis, Hamas fighters fired an antitank missile. Khan Younis soldiers were fired upon by at least 11 gunmen who attempted to plant explosives and fired rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.

Allied with Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed to have fired rockets at Israeli forces.

Gaza’s largest medical facility, Al-Amal Hospital and Nasser Hospital, was struck by Israeli strikes. The Israeli bombardment, according to Ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra, compromises healthcare and puts doctors, patients, and displaced people at risk.

The Israeli military says it is in regular contact with hospital directors by phone and on the ground to ensure hospitals are running and medical staff is accessible. According to Israel, the group does not operate near or in medical facilities.

Despite not ordering a ceasefire, the World Court ordered Israel to protect Palestinian civilians and prevent genocide. After the war against Hamas, Benjamin Netanyahu said it would continue.

The ruling by the International Court of Justice is important, but not enough for Zainab Khalil, 57, who was displaced several times before reaching refuge near the Egyptian border. A ceasefire is needed now, she said.

In response to Hamas militants storming into Israel on Oct. 7, Israel launched an offensive air, sea, and land.

Approximately 65,000 Palestinians have been injured, including 174 in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza health authorities. Over 2.3 million people have been displaced from the enclave. Since Israel launched its ground offensive, 220 soldiers have died. So far, it claims to have killed 9,000 Gaza militants, a figure that Hamas denies.

On Saturday, residents and Hamas militants reported fighting in the enclave’s central and northern parts, where heavy rain forced some to seek alternative shelter in the middle of the night. Several people were killed in a house in Rafah, where more than half of Gaza’s population is now sheltering in shelters and tents.

Israeli military officials did not immediately comment on the casualties or their identity. One man was killed in an exchange of fire with Israeli forces near Jenin, residents said.

SEE ALSO:

Chinese Military Pressure On Taiwan Intensifies As U.S.-China Talks Resume