Israel reinvades northern Gaza in bloody night of bombardment
Israel launched a new ground offensive in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday under the cover of heavy bombardment, killing and wounding scores of Palestinians.
According to the director of al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza, at least 100 people were killed and many more wounded, including women and children, during a “bloody night” of relentless attacks.
Aerial and artillery bombardment, along with naval shelling, targeted various areas in the northwest of the Gaza Strip.
Several inhabited homes in Beit Lahia and Jabalia were flattened, with dozens of bodies recovered, while dozens more remain trapped under the rubble.
The northern Gaza Strip has been heavily battered in previous Israeli air and ground attacks throughout the 19-month war.
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Under the cover of air strikes, Israeli ground troops advanced swiftly towards Beit Lahia, surrounding shelters housing displaced people and residential buildings.
Troops also besieged residents in the al-Salateen area, preventing Palestinian civil defence teams and ambulances from reaching those in need.
Civil defence workers reported that Israeli soldiers were “abducting” civilians from these shelters.
In a heartbreaking scene, a father kisses the foot of his daughter who was martyred in an Israeli air-strike that targeted homes in northern Gaza. pic.twitter.com/BZDesjZ2Kv
— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) May 16, 2025
Residents described it as a “very difficult night,” reminiscent of the early days of the war.
“The situation in al-Salateen is extremely difficult,” said local journalist Yousef Fares.
He described a harrowing night as his home was shelled with artillery and a nearby house was bombed, killing everyone inside.
He narrowly escaped after being targeted by drone fire while attempting to leave his home, and was forced to shelter in his stairwell while shells rained down.
Fares added that he survived by a "miracle," as a smoke bomb thrown by Israeli forces nearly blinded him during his attempt to flee.
"All the roads in the area are blocked, and I was lost for a long time trying to find a way out," he explained.
"Finally, after several attempts, I made it out. Many others also fled, but the area is under intense attack by Israeli drones and warplanes."
'Dying under the rubble'
The Palestinian civil defence said their teams have been working non-stop since midnight, rushing from one target to another amid the relentless shelling.
A spokesperson for the organisation told Al Jazeera that they are unable to meet the increasing demands for rescue operations.
"Our teams are overwhelmed and incapable of handling the situation in northern Gaza," he said.
"Over 85 percent of our resources have been destroyed by Israeli bombing since the start of the war."
The spokesperson added that the situation is dire, stating, "People are dying under the rubble because we are unable to reach them. Our capabilities have deteriorated significantly, and the overall state of services is catastrophic."
Dozens of injuries are lying on the ground at the Indonesian Hospital due to the heavy and continuous airstrikes on northern Gaza. pic.twitter.com/Q8IZuR2Ws5
— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) May 16, 2025
Friday’s bombing follows one of the deadliest periods in Gaza since Israel resumed its offensive after breaking the January ceasefire agreement.
At least 250 people were killed in less than 48 hours, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Since the resumption of bombing on 18 March, Israeli forces have killed over 2,800 Palestinians, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to more than 53,000, including at least 15,000 children.
Additionally, over 10,000 people are missing and presumed dead, while nearly 120,000 others have been wounded.
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