Israeli forces say they now control about 40% of Gaza City, including Jaitun and Sheikh Radwan. Heavy ground and air assaults have left at least 53 Palestinians dead in one day, most of them civilians. Gaza officials warn no area is safe, even in designated “humanitarian zones.” Since October 7, 2023, over 63,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks. U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley accuse Israel’s government of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank.