Israel conducts intensive airstrikes in northern Gaza, 400,000 Palestinians internally displaced
GAZA CITY - Israeli warplanes conducted intensive airstrikes in northern Gaza early Saturday amid reports of casualties.
The strikes targeted several houses and facilities in the Jabalia refugee camp and Al-Mashrooh neighbourhood in Beit Lahia, according to an Anadolu Agency reporter.
Dozens of Palestinians were reported dead in the attacks. The Palestinian Health Ministry has yet to confirm the fatalities.
Meanwhile, more than 400,000 Palestinians have been internally displaced in the Gaza Strip, the United Nations (UN) humanitarian office said Saturday.
"Most people have no access to clean drinking water after supply through the water network and the operation of water desalination/purification plants came to a halt,” Anadolu quoted the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) as saying in a statement.
"As a last resort, people are consuming brackish water from agricultural wells, triggering serious concerns about the spread of waterborne diseases,” it added.
The Israeli warned 1.1 million residents in northern Gaza to evacuate Friday "within 24 hours” and move south.
The UN warned it would be impossible for Palestinians in Gaza to obey the order to leave the north without "devastating humanitarian consequences.”
Israel has defied international calls to halt its offensive and has killed nearly 2,000 Palestinians, including more than 500 children since Oct 7, according to media reports.
Israel has also cut water and electricity supplies to Gaza, worsening the blockaded enclave’s already dire humanitarian situation. - BERNAMA-ANADOLU
