Israeli Forces Advance in Northern Gaza, Leaving Dozens Dead and Thousands Displaced

Gaza (Quds News Network)- Israeli forces launched a new ground operation in northwest Gaza early Friday. Tanks pushed into Beit Lahia as heavy shelling continued.

Medical sources confirmed that more than 100 Palestinians were killed or went missing in Israeli airstrikes since dawn. This raises the death toll to 250 over the last 36 hours. Israeli sources described the attacks as a prelude to expanding military operations in Gaza.

These children were lucky to survive the deadly Israeli massacres in northern Gaza over the last night. pic.twitter.com/rHcKus6nb0

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) May 16, 2025

Airstrikes hit densely populated homes in Beit Lahia and Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.

Emergency crews rushed to recover bodies and rescue the injured. Many lacked equipment. Scenes from the Indonesian Hospital showed dozens of bodies on the floor as staff struggled to keep up.

In Jabalia, civil defense teams reported a two-story home flattened by an airstrike. The residents were buried underneath. Rescuers couldn’t identify the bodies.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for Gaza’s civil defense, told Al Jazeera that Israeli forces target anything that moves in northern Gaza. He said many victims remain under rubble, unreachable due to constant fire. He added that Israel is bombing every part of the Strip and carrying out systematic killings.

In southern Gaza, an Israeli airstrike hit a tent sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis. One Palestinian was killed and several others injured, including one critically.

These attacks followed another deadly day in Gaza. Over 127 Palestinians were killed on Thursday alone. Israeli strikes directly hit two hospitals, six schools, and three shelters since Tuesday.

Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, Director General of the Health Ministry, called it “the most brutal wave of ethnic cleansing.” He confirmed 250 people killed in the last day and a half alone. He also warned of rising cases of fetal deformities caused by Israel’s use of internationally banned weapons.

Israel’s Channel 13 reported that the army plans to expand its offensive. According to Maariv, Israeli air raids across Gaza are part of preparations for future ground actions.

Earlier this month, Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan to “take control of Gaza and retain territory”.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel — with full U.S. support — has waged a genocide in Gaza. The offinsive has killed or injured over 173,000 Palestinians. Most of the victims are children and women. More than 11,000 remain missing under the rubble.