Israeli airstrikes kill dozens in north Gaza as raid deepens

On October 27 morning, several people were killed and more injured in an Israeli airstrike on a residence in Jabalia, northern Gaza, according to Palestinian medical sources.

The strike damaged multiple houses in Jabalia, a densely populated refugee camp that has been a focal point of Israel's military operations for over three weeks, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that their forces have returned to northern Gaza to eliminate Hamas fighters who had regrouped in the area.

In a statement, the military claimed to have "eliminated over 40 terrorists" in Jabalia over the last 24 hours and dismantled substantial militant infrastructure, discovering caches of military equipment. Additionally, the IDF announced it had neutralized a "terrorist cell" during close-quarters combat in central Gaza.

The humanitarian impact of the ongoing offensive has been severe, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting approximately 800 casualties in Jabalia, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya. Health officials warned that Gaza’s healthcare system is near collapse, as persistent airstrikes block medical teams from accessing bomb sites. The Civil Emergency Service halted operations after multiple personnel were detained or injured, and their only fire truck was destroyed in an attack.

The recent strikes in northern Gaza come as the death toll from an October 26 airstrike in Beit Lahiya rose to 40, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA. Israel claimed the operation targeted Hamas operatives with “precise munitions,” although local reports indicated a higher number of civilian casualties.

Notably, the conflict, which began with a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in around 1,200 Israeli fatalities and 250 hostages, has since escalated. According to Palestinian sources, the Israeli response has led to approximately 43,000 deaths across the Gaza Strip, leaving the territory devastated. As the hostilities continue, international calls for a ceasefire have so far failed to gain traction.

By Khagan Isayev