At least 16 Palestinians were killed throughout Gaza and dozens others were injured south of the enclave by the growing operations of Israel.

The Israeli army has increased its bombings as it is preparing to occupy the largest urban center of the enclave, despite international calls to review its plan.

The international community has expressed fears that Israel’s operation will cause a new increase in the victims, and will force about one million Palestinians who have resorted to the city of Gaza to be displaced again.

In the city of Gaza, residents say that many families are leaving their homes, most of them heading towards the coast, as Israeli forces bomb the eastern suburbs of Sezaia, Zeitz and Sabra.

Thursday’s attacks have raised to 71 the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said.

Israeli officials describe the city of Gaza as the last stronghold of Hamas, while the army says it continues to operate throughout Gaza, aiming for “terrorist organizations” and infrastructure.

Dozens wounded in southern Gaza

In southern Gaza, dozens of Palestinians were taken to Nasser Hospital in Han Younes with shooting wounds, according to a doctor who said the army had opened fire on a crowd of Palestinians who had gathered near a distribution point.

Mohammed Sakue, head of the Nursing Unit, told Reuters that most patients had shooting wounds on the upper part of their body and that many were in critical condition.

The victims, he added, said they were shooting as they were trying to get food from a distribution point in nearby Rafa.

The Israeli army did not respond immediately to Reuters’ request to comment on the news.