Residents in central Gaza reported heavy bombardment as Israel tried to rescue four hostages held since October 7.
Dozens of people have died, according to health authorities and Palestinian media. Israeli military spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hajari put the casualties at fewer than 100. It was unclear how many of them were civilians and how many were militants.
Khalil Daklan, spokesman for the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Bala, said a large number of the dead were taken to the medical facility, the last major medical center in central Gaza. The exact death toll could not be verified.
Gaza's Health Ministry said ambulances and emergency services in central Gaza were unable to respond to numerous calls to take the wounded to hospitals.
Video footage from inside Al-Aqsa Hospital shared by the Ministry of Health showed chaotic scenes as medical staff struggled to treat bloodied victims lying side by side on the floor. Two men held intravenous bags next to victims with bandages on their faces writhing in pain under blankets.
