Residents of the Gaza Strip reported that Israeli forces continued their advance in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood in northern Gaza City on Sunday, as well as their incursion in the west and center of Rafah in the southern region, resulting in the deaths of at least 6 Palestinians and the destruction of several homes.
The residents stated that Israeli tanks, which returned to Shuja'iyya four days ago, fired shells at several homes, trapping families inside and preventing their escape. The Israeli army claimed that its forces in Shuja'iyya killed a number of Palestinian militants in the past 24 hours, discovered weapons, and targeted military infrastructure.
On Saturday, the army announced the death of two Israeli soldiers in northern Gaza. The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad reported that fierce fighting occurred in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood of Gaza City as well as in Rafah, with their fighters launching anti-tank missiles and mortar shells at Israeli forces.
In Rafah, near the Egyptian border, Israeli tanks pushed into several neighborhoods in the east, west, and center of the city. Medics reported that 6 individuals were killed in an Israeli attack on a house in the Al-Shaboura neighborhood at the heart of Rafah. The six bodies, belonging to members of the Zaarab family, were taken to Nasser Hospital in the nearby city of Khan Younis.
Residents also reported that the Israeli army burned Al-Awda Mosque in central Rafah, one of the city's most famous mosques. Israel claims that its military operations in Rafah aim to eliminate the remaining brigades of Hamas. The Israeli army stated on Sunday that its forces continue "precise operations based on intelligence" in Rafah, killing several militants in various encounters and destroying tunnels.
