The Gaza-based health ministry has now documented a total of 8,796 Palestinian casualties in Gaza, with 3,648 children and 2,290 women among them.
While the IDF emphasizes its primary focus on the northern part of the Gaza enclosure, it is conducting military operations across all areas of the territory. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, where Hamas is not present, instances of random killings and detentions persist. This raise concerns that Israel’s actions may not solely target the Hamas organization but affect the wider Palestinian population.

West Bank face closures, attacks amid Israeli offensive

Since the Israeli offensive began on the Gaza Strip on October 7, there has been an increase in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. At least 105 Palestinians have been killed and another 1,550 have been arrested in a crackdown by Israeli forces. Palestinian cities and villages have been cut off from each other due to Israeli closures and the threat of settler attacks. This has resulted in a near-complete commercial standstill and severe restrictions on movement. The entrances to most Palestinian villages, towns, and cities have been blocked by military checkpoints, earth mounds, cement blocks, and iron gates, preventing movement between them. Karim Gibran, B’Tselem director of the field research department in the occupied Palestinian territories said,

“The arming of settlers in the West Bank has increased significantly. This phenomenon has terrified Palestinians, making their movement fraught with danger and fear. “

Cutting off Gaza City from the south

Despite the military’s reluctance to disclose the precise locations of their troops, social media images suggest the presence of Israeli tanks along the southern route of Gaza City. This deployment potentially poses a threat to Salah Ad Deen Road, the primary transportation artery that spans the length of the Gaza Strip. If severed, this could effectively divide Gaza into two parts, isolating Gaza City from the south.

Reports indicate that the tanks encountered resistance on this road, as confirmed by militants and residents. However, the Israeli military has maintained its stance of not divulging the specific positions of their forces.

Continues bombing Gaza

The area surrounding Al Quds Hospital in Gaza has been subjected to heavy bombardment by the Israeli military, resulting in massive explosions that have left medical staff and civilians in a state of panic, as reported by the Palestine Red Crescent Society on Wednesday.

Since the onset of the conflict on October 7, Israel has repeatedly targeted the vicinity of Al Quds Hospital, causing damage to parts of the facility. Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila has indicated that the Turkish hospital is no longer operational due to Israeli strikes and a shortage of fuel.

Gaza’s medical officials have also issued warnings that the largest Shifa Medical Complex, as well as other hospitals and healthcare institutions, are at risk of ceasing operations within hours due to the depletion of fuel required to run electrical generators.

According to the Hamas-run government media office, at least 195 Palestinians lost their lives in Israeli attacks on Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp on Tuesday and Wednesday. The statement from the office further noted that around 120 individuals remain missing under the debris, and at least 777 others have been wounded.