Gaza Strip faces intense bombardment and rising numbers of forced disappearances

Intense military activity and a growing humanitarian crisis continue to impact the Gaza Strip. In western Gaza City, specifically the Al-Katiba and Ansar areas, heavy bombardment involving Apache helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles resulted in at least three deaths and numerous injuries. Reports indicate that Israeli special forces may have entered the area, leading to armed clashes and a wave of airstrikes. Many casualties were transported to Al-Shifa Hospital, though ambulances faced difficulties reaching the site due to the intensity of the strikes.

Separately, the Center for Palestinian Missing and Enforced Disappeared has reported that between 2,500 and 3,000 people may have been forcibly disappeared in Gaza. This figure does not include the estimated 4,000 to 5,000 individuals believed to be trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings. Families of the missing, who disappeared during displacement, medical transfers, or while searching for food, remain in a state of prolonged uncertainty regarding the fate of their loved ones.