Escalation in Gaza: Casualties Mount as Israeli Airstrikes Continue

Israeli forces hit central Gaza Strip areas on Wednesday, resulting in the death of at least nine Palestinians, according to health officials. Concurrently, Israeli tanks advanced further into Rafah in the south.

In the past 24 hours, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 81 Palestinians and wounded 198, as reported by the Gaza health ministry, which does not differentiate between militants and civilians.

Troops continue precise, intelligence-based operations in Rafah, eliminating a terrorist cell and targeting a launcher used to fire at troops. Despite these efforts, Hamas continues to fire rockets and mortar bombs into Israel.

(With inputs from agencies.)