At least 61 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours as Israeli forces intensified strikes across Gaza, local sources said Friday. Among the dead were 19 people who were killed while attempting to collect humanitarian aid.

Four others, including two children, died of starvation and malnutrition, residents reported. Heavy bombardments targeted eastern and southern Gaza City, with fears of mass casualties and large-scale displacement of nearly one million Palestinians taking refuge in those areas.

In Zaytoun alone, more than 1,500 homes were destroyed, leaving the neighborhood reduced to rubble. The Israeli military stated it was targeting fighters and their infrastructure across Gaza.

Meanwhile, UN human rights experts expressed concern over the growing number of Palestinians reported missing amid the conflict.