5 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza

Five Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on northern Gaza as the Israeli military ordered evacuations from the area, according to Palestinian and Israeli sources on Friday, reported Xinhua.

Palestinian security sources reported that Israeli artillery heavily shelled the outskirts of Beit Lahia and several nearby neighborhoods. Local medical sources stated that the shelling resulted in five deaths and several injuries, with the wounded taken to the hospital.

The Israeli forces reported that rockets were launched from the Beit Lahia area targeting Israel earlier in the day. In response, the Israeli military instructed residents of Beit Lahia and surrounding areas to evacuate immediately.

Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the Israeli forces would "act forcefully and immediately against these terrorist elements."

Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza in retaliation for a Hamas attack on the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and about 250 hostages taken. The prolonged conflict has claimed the lives of more than 40,000 Palestinians in the enclave.