Israel Builds Up Military Presence in Northern Gaza: New Phase of Conflict
Israel is significantly increasing its military presence in northern Gaza, entering a new phase of the conflict with Hamas. Increased ground operations and increased airstrikes are aimed at destroying the militants’ infrastructure in the region. These actions are prompted by Israel’s desire to secure its borders and to carry out a strategic strike on key Hamas strongholds, which could lead to further escalation of tensions in the strip. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, fearing humanitarian consequences for the civilian population.
Gaza conflict: Jabaliya under fire from Israeli troops and growing pressure on civilians
On October 14, Israeli troops stepped up their attack on the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, while calling on local residents to leave their homes in connection with the operation against Hamas.
According to Reuters, Jabaliya has been the focus of Israeli operations for ten days now. Israeli forces have now surrounded the camp, moving tanks into the nearby towns of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun to eliminate Hamas militants who are trying to organize their ranks in the area.
Jabaliya is one of eight historic refugee camps in Gaza. Residents of the area are faced with a difficult choice: either comply with Israeli demands to evacuate to the south or heed Hamas’s calls to stay put because resettlement seems too risky.
The United Nations human rights watchdog said Israeli forces had likely “completely sealed off northern Gaza from the rest of the Strip,” heightening humanitarian concerns.
“The closure of northern Gaza raises concerns that Israel has no intention of allowing civilians to re-establish themselves in their homes. The constant calls for Palestinians to evacuate the area raise serious concerns about the possibility of mass forced displacement of civilians,” the statement said.
Israeli officials say their evacuation orders are designed to distinguish between militants and civilians, and have rejected any plans to systematically remove people from Jabalya or other northern areas. The operation highlights the dire conditions facing Gazans as fighting continues to shift from one area to another, Reuters reports.
Palestinian Medics Report Casualties in Attacks: Israel Under International Pressure
Ten people, including women and children, were killed and 40 others were injured in a tank attack in Jabaliya, according to Palestinian medical officials. Eight people were killed in a separate incident in the Sheikh Radwan area of Gaza.
The Israeli military confirmed that it was investigating the incidents. The official statement stressed that “the Israeli army only strikes terrorist targets and militants, avoiding attacks on civilians and civilians.”
The UN described the catastrophic situation for civilians remaining in Jabaliya, saying more than 50,000 people had been forced to flee their homes. Wells, bakeries, health centers and shelters had been closed. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the high number of civilian casualties in northern Gaza. A US administration official said Israel must do more to protect Palestinian civilians during attacks on Hamas.