Intense clashes erupted on Friday as Israeli forces engaged Hamas fighters in the narrow alleyways of Jabalia in northern Gaza. These encounters are among the fiercest since Israeli troops re-entered the area a week ago. Simultaneously, in the south, militants launched attacks on tanks amassing around Rafah.
Residents of Jabalia reported that Israeli armor had advanced to the market at the heart of the largest of Gaza’s eight historic refugee camps. Bulldozers were seen demolishing homes and shops to clear the way for the military advance. "Tanks and planes are wiping out residential districts and markets, shops, restaurants, everything. It is all happening before the one-eyed world," said Ayman Rajab, a resident of western Jabalia, via a chat app.
Israel previously claimed to have cleared Jabalia months earlier in the ongoing Gaza war, which was triggered by deadly Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7. However, Israeli forces returned to the area last week to prevent Islamist militants from regrouping. In southern Gaza, thick smoke was seen rising over Rafah due to an escalating Israeli assault. This offensive has driven hundreds of thousands of people from one of the last remaining places of refuge in the region.
"People are terrified and they’re trying to get away," said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office, in Geneva. He added that most displaced individuals were following orders to move north toward the coast, despite the lack of safe routes or destinations. The situation continues to deteriorate as the conflict intensifies, leading to significant humanitarian concerns.
Residents of Jabalia reported that Israeli armor had advanced to the market at the heart of the largest of Gaza’s eight historic refugee camps. Bulldozers were seen demolishing homes and shops to clear the way for the military advance. "Tanks and planes are wiping out residential districts and markets, shops, restaurants, everything. It is all happening before the one-eyed world," said Ayman Rajab, a resident of western Jabalia, via a chat app.
Israel previously claimed to have cleared Jabalia months earlier in the ongoing Gaza war, which was triggered by deadly Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7. However, Israeli forces returned to the area last week to prevent Islamist militants from regrouping. In southern Gaza, thick smoke was seen rising over Rafah due to an escalating Israeli assault. This offensive has driven hundreds of thousands of people from one of the last remaining places of refuge in the region.
"People are terrified and they’re trying to get away," said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office, in Geneva. He added that most displaced individuals were following orders to move north toward the coast, despite the lack of safe routes or destinations. The situation continues to deteriorate as the conflict intensifies, leading to significant humanitarian concerns.
