Residents in central Gaza reported heavy shelling as Israel carried out an operation to rescue four hostages held since October 7.
Palestinian health authorities and media reported that dozens of people had died. Israel’s military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, estimated the number of casualties at fewer than 100. It was unclear how many were civilians and how many were militants.
Khalil Daqran, spokesman for the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, said a large number of dead were arriving at the medical center, the last major medical center in central Gaza. It was not possible to verify the exact number of deaths.
Ambulances and emergency services in central Gaza were unable to respond to many calls to transport the injured to hospitals, Gaza’s Health Ministry said.
Video from inside Al Aqsa hospital shared by the ministry showed chaotic scenes as medical staff struggled to treat bloodied victims lying side by side on the floor. Two men held IV bags while, next to them, an injured man, his face bandaged, writhed in pain under a blanket.