GAZA, Palestine

Israel on Wednesday targeted the western port area of Gaza with several white phosphorus bombs, resulting in hundreds of cases of suffocation, Palestinian medical sources said.

The sources confirmed the attack led to hundreds of Palestinians suffering from suffocation, with a significant number of them being transported to hospitals, while others received on-site medical treatment.

Most of the injuries were observed among children and the elderly, particularly those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, according to the sources.

An extensive area in western Gaza was reportedly covered with white phosphorus, as per Anadolu's correspondent.

White phosphorus bombs are internationally prohibited under the 1980 Geneva Convention, which explicitly forbids their use as incendiary weapons against both humans and the environment. As of 1300GMT, there has been no response from the Israeli side concerning these reports.

In a dramatic escalation of Mideast tensions, Israeli forces have launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air, which Hamas said was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

In response to Hamas' actions, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip. Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala​​​​​​​