Israel Opens New Route Out Of Gaza City, Death Toll Passes 65,000

GAZA CITY – The Israeli Military said it was opening an additional route for 48 hours that Palestinians could use to leave Gaza City as it stepped up efforts on Wednesday to empty the city of civilians and confront thousands of Hamas combatants.

At least 50 people were killed by Israeli strikes and gunfire across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, including 39 in Gaza City.

They said the latest fatalities took the Palestinian death toll from the two-year war between Israel and Hamas past 65,000.

Palestinian officials and rescue workers say the true figure is likely to be higher as many people’s remains are trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings.