Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least 19 Palestinians, including a high-ranking Hamas official and several women and children, according to reports from the southern Gaza Strip.
The strikes, which occurred overnight into Sunday, also prompted the Israeli military to order the evacuation of the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood in the southern city of Rafah. Residents reported seeing tanks advance into the area as people were forced to flee on foot along a designated route to the Mawasi area, which is home to sprawling tent camps.
The recent escalation of violence comes after Israel ended its ceasefire with Hamas last week, launching a surprise wave of airstrikes that killed hundreds of Palestinians. The situation remains volatile, with concerns growing over the humanitarian impact on civilians in the region.