At least 23 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, marking one of the deadliest days since an October ceasefire.

Civilians, including children, bore the brunt of the shelling, while medical evacuations through the Rafah crossing faced delays amid the escalating violence.

Medical sources reported that 14 people were killed in shelling on the Tuffah and Zeitoun neighborhoods of Gaza City. Another six were killed in southern Gaza, including four in attacks on tents sheltering displaced residents in the Qizan Abu Rashwan area near Khan Younis and two in al-Mawasi coastal tent camp.

Among the victims was Hussein Hasan Hussein al-Sumairy, a first responder with the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Al Jazeera reporter Tareq Abu Azzoum noted that residential homes were “squarely targeted without any prior warning,” leaving residents without respite.

“There has been a surge in Israel’s military activities across Gaza in the past few hours,” Abu Azzoum said, adding that drone activity overhead suggests further attacks may be imminent.

Israel’s military statement

Israel’s military said its armored units and aircraft struck northern Gaza after a reserve officer was severely injured by gunfire. The officer was evacuated to a hospital following the incident near the “yellow line,” the boundary of Israeli military control. Israeli authorities also reportedly shifted the yellow line eastward, increasing anxiety among Gaza residents.

Since the ceasefire went into effect nearly four months ago, over 520 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli operations. The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that Israel handed over the bodies of 54 Palestinians and 66 boxes of human remains for examination before being returned to families.

Impact on medical evacuations

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said medical evacuations through the Rafah crossing were initially suspended on Wednesday due to coordination issues. Patients needing treatment abroad were delayed, though later reports indicated the process resumed once coordination was completed.

Red Crescent spokesperson Raed al-Nims said the procedure involves preliminary medical checkups at a Red Cross hospital in Gaza before transfer to ambulances and onward to Egyptian hospitals. Israeli authorities maintain strict control over numbers, allowing only a handful of Palestinians to leave each day despite the partial reopening of the crossing.

Humanitarian toll

Since the war began on October 7, 2023, at least 71,803 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, with rights groups and a UN inquiry describing the military actions as genocidal. A case of genocide against Israel is currently underway at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Despite ceasefire agreements, attacks continue to devastate Gaza’s civilian population, and international observers warn that the humanitarian situation remains dire, with limited access to medical care and ongoing threats to life and property.