Widespread Israeli escalation targets a cafe in Gaza, and the occupation controls 56% of the Strip

Field sources reported that a number of Palestinian citizens were injured after an Israeli drone strike targeted a popular cafe in the center of Gaza City without prior warning. The injured were quickly transferred to Al-Shifa Medical Complex for treatment, where medical teams confirmed that the condition of one of the wounded was critical due to direct shrapnel hitting the crowded location.

The attack on the cafe coincided with a fierce artillery bombardment campaign that targeted the eastern neighborhoods of Gaza City and Jabalia refugee camp in the north, leading to widespread destruction of property. Local sources also monitored the firing of dozens of shells from the Morag axis towards Bani Suhaila town and neighboring areas east of Khan Yunis, in a systematic escalation striking multiple fronts simultaneously.

In the central Strip, three citizens were martyred at dawn on Monday due to shelling carried out by an Israeli drone in Deir al-Balah city, while another martyr fell to occupation bullets near Bani Suhaila roundabout on Salah al-Din Street. The victims and injured were transferred to Nasser Medical Complex, amidst warnings of continued targeting of civilians in areas claimed to be outside the scope of direct military operations.

Human rights and field reports documented the extrajudicial execution of an elderly Palestinian man in the Al-Mawasi area west of Rafah city, where he was subjected to direct gunfire that led to his immediate martyrdom. This incident comes amidst a escalating Israeli policy targeting anyone approaching the 'yellow line' within 100 meters of the occupation forces' positions, which reduces the remaining safe areas for residents.

On the strategic level, the Government Media Office in Gaza revealed dangerous data indicating that the occupation forces now effectively control more than 56% of the total area of the Strip. This field expansion is accompanied by the imposition of buffer zones and the expansion of what are called yellow areas, which exacerbates humanitarian pressure and deprives thousands of families of access to their homes or freedom of movement.

In a recent update to victim data, the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that the toll of the ongoing Israeli aggression since October 7, 2023, has risen to 72,329 martyrs. The number of injured and wounded has reached approximately 172,192 people, amidst a near-complete collapse of the health system and its ability to deal with the massive and diverse scale of injuries.

Israel now effectively controls more than 56% of the Gaza Strip, tightening the noose on civilian movement in the yellow areas.