42 killed as Israel steps up Gaza strikes; ‘Stop the War’ protest rocks Tel Aviv

At least 42 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza City on Saturday, according to the director of the Hamas-run government media office.

The violence marks another deadly day in the ongoing conflict, which has seen heavy casualties and worsening humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian enclave. This follows the previous day’s strikes on a tent camp near the southern city of Rafah, where 25 people were killed and 50 were injured.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of protesters rallied in Tel Aviv, demanding new elections and the return of hostages held in Gaza, with many criticising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for its handling of the conflict with Hamas.

Israeli airstrikes on Saturday targeted two Hamas military sites in Gaza City, with one strike in the al-Shati refugee camp claiming 24 lives and another in the Tuffah neighbourhood taking 18 lives. The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, stating that they were targeting Hamas military infrastructure.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck a Hamas military site in Gaza City’s Shati camp, reportedly targeting senior Hamas commander Raad Saad. While some local reports claim Saad was killed, there has been no official confirmation from Israel or Hamas.

In the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, Israeli forces strapped a wounded Palestinian man to the hood of a military jeep during an arrest raid. A video of the incident surfaced on social media and showed the man tied to a jeep passing through two ambulances. The Israeli military acknowledged the violation of protocol and stated the incident would be investigated.

The protest in Tel Aviv on Saturday, which was estimated to have over 150,000 attendees, was the largest since the Gaza war began. Protesters waved Israeli flags and chanted slogans against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, with many holding signs reading “Crime Minister” and “Stop the War”.