GAZA — Several Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed and injured in airstrikes conducted by Israeli warplanes on residential areas in the northern Gaza Strip, Anadolu Agency reported.

The strikes, which occurred on Saturday, targeted the Jabalia refugee camp and surrounding areas, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. According to a local correspondent, the airstrikes hit close to shelters in central Jabalia, causing panic among thousands of displaced residents.

Witnesses reported that medical and civil defense teams are struggling to reach the affected victims due to ongoing Israeli shelling. Despite the civilian toll, the Israeli army stated that it had aimed at "Hamas targets in Jabalia," although no further details were provided.

This recent surge in violence follows a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in less than 1,200 deaths. Since then, nearly 34,950 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have died, and approximately 78,600 have been injured, as per Palestinian health authorities.

Seven months into the conflict, significant parts of Gaza remain devastated, with a severe blockade limiting access to food, clean water, and medicine. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has labeled Israel's actions in Gaza as potentially genocidal. An interim ruling in January stated it is "plausible" that genocide is being committed, mandating Israel to halt these acts and ensure that civilians in Gaza receive necessary humanitarian aid.

In a recent development, South Africa has urged the ICJ to command Israel to withdraw from Rafah as part of urgent measures concerning the ongoing war. — Agencies