At least 44 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency, as the Israeli military escalated its operations against Hamas in the Palestinian territory.
The strikes reportedly targeted multiple areas, including a school in Gaza City sheltering displaced families, a house in Deir el-Balah, a gas station near the Nuseirat refugee camp, and a residence in the Jabalia refugee camp. Local authorities said most of the casualties were women and children.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expanded ground operations on Sunday, deploying additional troops and calling up tens of thousands of reservists.
Israel’s security cabinet recently approved a plan for a more extensive operation in the territory.
According to reports, the plan outlines potential steps for further military advancement and discusses the displacement of Gaza’s population, though no official timeline has been confirmed.