At least 28 killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza

At least 28 people were killed in Israeli attacks on targets in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials said on Friday.

Health officials in the Gaza Strip reported that at least 28 people were killed in the embattled coastal area since Thursday night.

The information could not initially be independently verified.

"Over the past day, the IAF [Israeli Air Force] struck dozens of targets throughout the Gaza Strip, including, terrorists, military sites, observation and sniping posts that posed a threat to the troops in the area, underground infrastructure, and additional terrorist infrastructure," the Israeli military said in a statement.

According to Palestinian hospital sources, 20 Palestinians were injured by gunfire on their way to a distribution centre run by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

They were reportedly shot by Israeli soldiers near al-Bureij. The information could not be independently verified. The Israeli military did not initially comment on the incident.

Israel has been fighting the Palestinian militant organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the massacre of October 7, 2023.

Two weeks ago, the Israeli armed forces launched a new major offensive in the coastal area. Many deaths are reported every day.

Israel's stated goal is to completely destroy Hamas and free the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip. Israel's actions have been met with international criticism.