The Israeli army announced today, Wednesday, that it has moved into the heart of Gaza, releasing new footage of the ground operation and clashes in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian media reported hearing sounds of clashes and explosions in the eastern and northern regions of Gaza. Palestinian reports spoke of intense clashes east of the Al-Maghazi refugee camp coinciding with the advance of Israeli tanks. Israeli airstrikes targeted the neighborhoods of Tel al-Hawa, Sheikh Radwan, Zaitoun, and Shujaiya in Gaza.
The Israeli army announced the targeting and killing of Mohsen Abu Zeina, describing him as the "head of the weapons manufacturing department" at a Hamas production facility. The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, confirmed targeting Israeli soldiers near a gathering of their advancing vehicles south of Gaza City, destroying 15 Israeli vehicles in several areas of the Gaza Strip today. A Hamas spokesperson stated that Israel is committing acts of genocide and employing a scorched earth policy, adding that "Israel is dropping dozens of bombs on entire residential blocks."
This comes as it was announced that an Israeli soldier was killed in Gaza, raising the total number of Israeli army casualties in Gaza to 33 since the start of the ground operation. Alarms sounded in towns around the Gaza perimeter today, Wednesday, according to the Israeli television channel i24 News. A barrage of rockets was launched at Tel Aviv and surrounding areas and southern Israel, according to Israeli media.
Additionally, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that the number of deaths in the Strip due to Israeli bombardment since October 7 has risen to 10,569 Palestinians, including 4,324 children. It also confirmed an increase in the number of injured to 26,475. They noted 2,550 reports of missing individuals under the rubble, 1,350 of whom are children.
