Israeli strikes kill 23, mostly in northern Gaza

UN describes conditions in the region as apocalyptic following the month-long siege

CAIRO - Israeli forces stepped up their bombardment of Gaza on Nov 3, killing at least 23 people.

Over half the deaths were in the northern parts of the enclave, where the Israeli army has waged a month-long campaign that the United Nations says has led to "apocalyptic" conditions.

Palestinians said the new aerial and ground offensives and forced evacuations were "ethnic cleansing" aimed at emptying two northern Gaza towns and a camp to create a buffer zone.

Medics said at least 13 Palestinians were killed in separate attacks on houses in Beit Lahiya town and Jabalia, the largest of the enclave's eight historic refugee camps and the focus of the army's new military offensive.

The rest were killed in separate Israeli air strikes in Gaza City and the southern areas.

Since Oct 6, Israeli forces have carried out a major air and ground assault on northern Gaza, centered on the Jabalia area, vowing to stop attempts by Hamas militants from regrouping.

Israel's military on Nov 2 said dozens of militants were killed around Jabalia "in aerial and ground activity".

Troops were also operating in central Gaza and Rafah in the territory's far south, it added, while witnesses said Israeli drones and boats opened fire on Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza.

"The situation unfolding in northern Gaza is apocalyptic," said a joint statement by UN agency heads.

"The area has been under siege for almost a month, denied basic aid and life-saving supplies, while bombardment and other attacks continue," the heads of the humanitarian, health and other agencies said.

"The entire Palestinian population in northern Gaza is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence."