Gaza Civil Defense accuses 'Israel' of "ethnic cleansing"

Gaza’s Civil Defense accused the 'Israeli' military on Saturday of carrying out “ethnic cleansing” in the city, amid intensified airstrikes on residential neighborhoods and schools sheltering displaced people.

In a statement, the Civil Defense said the “blind fury” of the attacks on schools and densely populated areas has led to dozens of civilian deaths and hundreds of injuries, leaving displaced residents in a state of “extreme panic” with no safe shelters.

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The Gaza government’s media office provided figures detailing the destruction since the escalation began on August 11. According to the office, 1,600 residential towers were completely destroyed, roughly 2,000 heavily damaged, and 13,000 tents for displaced persons demolished, displacing over 100,000 residents.

The escalation follows a plan announced by 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on August 8 to occupy Gaza City, with military operations initially targeting the Shati area before expanding across the city, reportedly aiming to force residents southward into what 'Israel' calls the “humanitarian zone.”

The Civil Defense issued an urgent call to the international community and humanitarian organizations to intervene and “stop 'Israel’s' blind targeting of civilians and remaining infrastructure.”