Cairo: Israeli forces escalated their bombardment of Gaza on Thursday, killing at least 16 Palestinians and wounding dozens more, according to local reports. The strikes targeted areas in the southern region of the enclave, including a renewed offensive on Gaza City.

According to the Israeli military, the current operations are part of an effort to dismantle Hamas infrastructure and regain control in areas previously evacuated by Israeli forces. Despite warnings from international agencies about civilian casualties, the strikes continued into densely populated neighborhoods.

One hospital in Khan Yunis reportedly came under fire, adding to the growing toll on medical facilities throughout the Gaza Strip. Medical staff at Nasser Hospital said 11 of the 16 fatalities were killed in airstrikes and that many of the injured arrived in critical condition.

Residents in Gaza City described the latest round of shelling as some of the most intense since the start of the war. “The bombing didn’t stop for hours,” said one local resident.

The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that 66 wounded individuals were admitted to the European Hospital in Khan Yunis over a 24-hour period, including four people who were declared dead on arrival.

In addition to military targets, humanitarian efforts have also been disrupted. Aid distribution centers were reportedly hit, and the UN has warned of a worsening crisis in food and medical supplies.

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On Thursday, at least 71 deaths were recorded across Gaza, with many of the casualties attributed to Israeli air raids.

Medical staff at Nasser Hospital confirmed that the majority of the victims were civilians, including women and children.