Israeli strikes hit Gaza as Health Ministry urges Rafah opening
Israeli attacks continue across Gaza at a "very high pace" despite calls for a ceasefire, with at least two Palestinians killed in the latest drone strikes.
Reporting from Deir el-Balah, Al Jazeera's Ashraf Abu Amra described how an Israeli drone fired two missiles at a civilian car in the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, killing two Palestinians and wounding others. The wounded were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where one remains in critical condition.
"The strike was sudden and came without prior warning," Abu Amra said, noting that Israeli aircraft are flying at low altitude across all areas of the strip. Earlier, an Israeli strike in Jabalia, northern Gaza, wounded a Palestinian who was taken to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
Attacks are escalating east of Jabalia in the Halawa camp, where Israeli forces stationed along the "Yellow Line" have begun firing directly at tents sheltering displaced families. In eastern Gaza City, explosions have been heard in the Shujayea, Tuffah and Zeitoun neighborhoods due to Israeli artillery shelling.
Civilian casualties mount
On Thursday morning, four Palestinians were buried at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis after being killed in an Israeli drone strike in the al-Mawasi area of Rafah. Abu Amra identified the victims as civilian employees of the Ministry of Economy who monitor aid trucks entering through Karem Abu Salem.
More than 30 others were wounded in the attack, according to Al Jazeera's Moath al-Kahlout. Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians live in tents in al-Mawasi, which Israel had previously designated a "safe zone."
The strike was sudden and came without prior warning.
Health crisis worsens
Gaza's Health Ministry reported that six Palestinians had been killed and 38 wounded over the previous 24 hours. The ministry renewed its call for the Rafah crossing to be opened so that sick and wounded Palestinians can leave the territory for treatment.
In a statement, the ministry said 21,468 patients and wounded people need to travel for care outside Gaza, including 6,430 identified as priority cases. It blamed repeated border closures and delays in evacuation procedures for worsening patients' conditions, saying dozens had died while waiting for permission to leave.
Since February, 3,056 patients and wounded people have been evacuated for treatment abroad, the ministry said, 2,614 through Rafah (connecting Gaza with Egypt) and 442 through the Karem Abu Salem crossing with Israel.
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