CAIRO: At least 26 people were martyred and 93 others wounded when Israeli airstrikes hit masjid and school sheltering displaced people in Gaza Strip early on Sunday, Hamas-run Gaza government media office said.

Palestinian health officials said at least another 20 people had been martyred since Saturday night in northern Gaza, after Army sent tanks into areas there for first time in months and urged residents to leave.

Hamas rejects accusations it uses civilian facilities such as schools, hospitals and masajid for military purposes."Masajid has been here for 20 years and neighbourhood has displaced people," Imam Ahmed Fleet said as he retrieved Korans from debris. "I was shocked when it was struck."

Hamas-run Gaza government media office said Israel had struck 27 houses, schools and displacement shelters across Gaza in past 48 hours.

"War is back," said Raed (520 from Jabalia, before he and his family left for Gaza City on Sunday. "Dozens of explosions from airstrikes and tank shelling shook ground and buildings, it felt like early days of war," he told Reuters via chat app. Palestinian and UN officials say no place in enclave is safe, including humanitarian zones.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 07 2024

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