Israeli strikes kill 85 Palestinians as 81% of Gaza now within ‘militarised zones’

Israeli strikes killed at least 85 Palestinians in Gaza since the early hours of Friday morning, medical sources said, as the UN revealed that 81 per cent of Gaza is now within ‘militarised zones’ or under forced displacement orders.

An Israeli drone targeting Deir al-Balah caused widespread injuries as it hit a crowded area, with civil defence services grappling to reach people.

Civil defence crews also raised the alarm over 50 Palestinians who they say have either been killed or remain missing following an Israeli air raid on homes in the Jabalia al-Balad area of north Gaza.

The widespread devastation comes as Gaza’s health ministry reported that at least 29 elderly people and children who have died in recent days were recorded as "starvation-related deaths", as the enclave continues to feel the impact of Israel’s stifling blockade.

Since the start of the war, at least 58 people have died due to malnutrition. At the same time, 300 miscarriages have been documented during the 80 days of Israeli blockade, Gaza’s government media office said in a statement.

The killings come as 80 countries said that the Gaza Strip is experiencing its "worst humanitarian crisis" since the start of the war. In a statement delivered to the UN as part of the observance of Protection of Civilians Week in Armed Conflict, the countries said their "message is clear" and "protecting civilians in armed conflict is not optional".

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also weighed in on the situation on Thursday, urging Israel to have "mercy" in Gaza, and adding that peace would be in Israel's interests.

Despite Israel allowing some aid trucks into Gaza this week, the collapsed security system, coupled with Israeli restrictions inside, means that the majority of Palestinians have not yet benefited from the emergency assistance.

Israeli forces have attacked police in charge of securing the aid, Al-Jazeera reported, adding that at least six Palestinian police officers have been killed in attacks.

Meanwhile, the UN revealed in its latest situation report that an estimated 81 per cent of Gaza’s entire territory is now within Israeli-declared "militarised zones" or is subject to forced displacement orders by Israeli forces.

France and Saudi Arabia also announced they are jointly drafting a proposal to disarm Hamas, sources familiar with discussions reported.

According to Bloomberg, Saudi Arabia has already started discussing the matter with Hamas.

The sources added, however, that allowing Hamas to retain its political role on some level, will increase the likelihood of the group disarming.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed over 61,700 Palestinians since October 2023, levelling entire neighbourhoods and plunging the Strip into a deep humanitarian crisis. Leading rights groups, including Amnesty International, have determined that the war amounts to genocide.