CAIRO: Israeli forces pounded areas in the central Gaza Strip on Wednesday (Jul 17), killing at least nine Palestinians, according to health officials, while Israeli tanks carried out a limited advance further into Rafah in the south. The Israel Gaza conflict has led to at least 38,000 Palestinian deaths in Israel’s retaliatory offensive, as reported by Gaza health authorities. Israel has recorded 326 of its soldiers killed in Gaza due to the conflict.
In an Israeli airstrike around midnight on a house in Al-Zawyda, central Gaza Strip, health officials reported eight people killed. Additionally, another strike in Nuseirat camp resulted in the death of a man. This camp, one of Gaza’s eight refugee camps, saw 23 fatalities from an Israeli airstrike on a school the previous day. #IsraelGazaConflict
Israeli tanks also shelled the eastern areas of Al-Bureij and Al-Maghazi camps in the centre of enclave, residents said. An air strike destroyed a mosque, residents said.
Meanwhile in Rafah, tanks raided the city’s north before withdrawing, a common strategy for Israeli forces. Since May, tanks have been active in various parts of Rafah but have not ventured deep into the northern districts.
Medics said an Israeli strike killed two people in Rafah on Wednesday, while residents said the forces had blown up dozens of homes. #IsraelGazaConflict
The Israeli military said troops were “continuing precise, intelligence-based operational activity in the Rafah area”. It said it they had eliminated what it called a terrorist cell and a launcher that had been used to fire at troops.
The Israel-Gaza conflict remains volatile, with international calls for restraint and efforts to broker a ceasefire ongoing.
