The Israeli military has issued evacuation orders for residential areas in northwest Gaza after Palestinian militants fired rockets towards the Israeli town of Ashkelon. The orders were prompted by a recent rocket attack that triggered air raid sirens in Ashkelon, with one projectile intercepted and another falling into the sea.
Earlier in the conflict, Israel had ordered the evacuation of all of northern Gaza, including its largest city, due to ongoing hostilities initiated by Hamas. While most residents complied and moved south, around 300,000 individuals remained in the north, where Israeli military operations have caused significant damage and destruction.
Approximately 90% of Gaza's population, totaling 2.3 million people, have been displaced multiple times during the 11-month-long conflict. Many are now living in overcrowded tent camps along the coast, lacking essential public services.
Death Toll Rises in Israeli Strikes on Syria
Reports from Syrian state media indicate that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes in Syria has climbed to 14, with over 40 individuals sustaining injuries. The strikes targeted various locations in central Syria, including Hama province, resulting in damage to infrastructure and fires.
Initial reports from Masyaf National Hospital in Hama province indicated four casualties, but the latest update from hospital authorities now confirms 14 fatalities and 43 wounded individuals. The breakdown of civilian versus militant casualties remains unclear at this time.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that one of the strikes targeted a scientific research center in Maysaf, along with sites housing Iranian militias and experts involved in weapon development in Syria. Additional strikes were reported near the city of Tartous on the Syrian coast.
While the Israeli military has not issued a statement regarding these specific strikes, Israel has conducted numerous operations within government-controlled areas of Syria in recent years. These actions are often aimed at Syrian forces or Iranian-backed groups, as part of Israel's broader strategy to prevent Iranian influence from taking root in Syria.
