At least 71 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting residential areas across the Gaza Strip since early Thursday, according to local officials.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, told Xinhua that the death toll has surpassed 71, with dozens more injured. He warned that the number of casualties is likely to rise as search and rescue operations continue under extremely difficult conditions due to a lack of heavy recovery equipment.

“The Gaza Strip is no longer safe amid ongoing, intense airstrikes,” Basal said, underscoring the humanitarian challenges facing emergency teams on the ground.

The Israeli airstrikes reportedly hit multiple areas, including Bani Suhaila, Abasan al-Kabira, and al-Fakhari in the east of Khan Younis, as well as Rafah in the south, and Gaza City and Beit Lahia in the north.

Security sources and eyewitnesses reported that at least 19 homes were completely destroyed in the attacks. Tents sheltering displaced families, humanitarian aid warehouses, and mosques were also struck.

Meanwhile, Israel’s public broadcaster reported that the Israeli army targeted approximately 20 locations across Gaza in recent hours.  artillery shelling also continued east of Khan Younis, particularly around Abasan al-Kabira and in parts of central and eastern Gaza.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its operations, conducted in coordination with the Israeli Security Agency, were aimed at “eliminating threats to the citizens of the State of Israel.”