Israeli forces continue to target zones marked as ‘safe’ by the army

Palestinians in Gaza have said that they are continuing to be targeted, even in "safe zones" designated by the Israeli army.

"We were taking shelter in the college last night when the Israeli forces opened fire on us. The college housed thousands of displaced people, as it was marked a safe zone. I am not surprised they are targeting us. We do not trust the Israeli army's instructions; they do not care and kill us anyway," Mohammed Al-Hayek, a 15-year-old, told Middle East Eye.

Al-Hayek was wounded by Israeli shrapnel in his leg while sheltering in a safe zone.

"All the window glass shattered around us. We could not leave due to the intensity of the bombardment. Today, at 7am, while collecting our belongings, they shelled an artillery raid on us. A piece of shrapnel hit my leg," he added.

Mohammed Al-Qidra, the emergency doctor at Nasser Hospital, says that the majority of wounded people that come to the hospital need amputations, including to their legs, hands, arms and spine.

"Most of the victims are children and babies who have undergone amputation or suffered severe burns. I've had cases of 4-month-old children with amputated legs," he told Middle East Eye.

"While the world celebrates the new year, Palestinians are being killed, displaced and injured, lying on the hospital floor. We urgently need a ceasefire. Doctors are exhausted, sleeping for less than four hours," he added.

"During a nap with the rest of the doctors, one of our colleagues was talking in his sleep, saying, 'Let's give him the tube so he can breathe'. All that occupies our mind is saving people at this moment."

Report by Ahmad Abu Aziz