Over 40 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others were injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City and surrounding areas last night, reports Al Jazeera.

According to doctors, 41 people were killed in the Israeli attacks, as 37 Arabs were killed in Gaza City itself, and dozens of Palestinians were injured or are still missing.

About 350,000 residents have already been forced to leave the administrative center of the besieged Palestinian enclave, reports Sky News Arabia.

Earlier, it was reported that Israel had launched a planned “ground offensive” on Gaza City in order to establish full control over it.