On Thursday, Israel significantly escalated its airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, pushing for more evacuations that have led to mass displacement, particularly in northern Gaza. Many Palestinians are worried they may not be allowed to return home.
Civilian Impact: Schools and Refugee Camps Targeted
At least ten people were reported killed, and others injured in an airstrike on a school sheltering displaced families within the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel’s military claimed the attack targeted a Hamas command center allegedly operating from within a former UN school, accusing the group of using civilian areas for military activities—an accusation Hamas denies.
Growing Displacement Amidst Advancing Ground Troops
As Israeli tanks moved further into Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, dozens of families fled, heading to temporary shelters with what little they could carry. Evacuation orders were broadcasted via drones, social media, and direct messages, guiding residents toward safer areas. A displaced man, identified as Ahmed, described the situation as dire, saying, “They are bombing everywhere, making it impossible to stay.”
Concerns Over Aid and Access
Palestinian authorities have accused Israel of orchestrating what they call “ethnic cleansing,” claiming that little to no aid has reached Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, or Beit Hanoun since early October. Israel, however, stated that it has allowed humanitarian aid into northern Gaza and denied reports that evacuees would be barred from returning. Approximately 300 trucks of aid from the UAE were reportedly delivered to Gaza via Israeli-controlled crossings.
Rising Casualties Amid Ongoing Violence
The recent wave of violence has resulted in further casualties, with six reported killed in Jabalia, four in Beit Lahiya, and seven near Rafah on the Egyptian border. Later reports from Palestinian media claimed dozens were killed in an Israeli strike on a house in Jabalia, although these numbers are yet to be independently confirmed.
According to the Israeli military, its operations in Jabalia resulted in the deaths of around 50 militants over the past 24 hours, and exit routes were organized for Palestinian civilians fleeing conflict zones. Despite this, U.N. officials insist there are no truly safe areas in Gaza, where most of the 2.3 million residents have been displaced from their homes.
The Wider Conflict and International Concerns
Israel’s ground campaign in Gaza, now over a year in action, has turned parts of the territory into a war-torn zone experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis. As this conflict unfolds, Palestinians are also watching the U.S. closely, especially after former President Donald Trump’s election victory. Trump’s pro-Israel stance may shape future U.S. support for Israeli leadership, which could impact the region’s dynamics.
Since the beginning of the conflict on October 7, 2023, more than 43,300 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health authorities. Violence has similarly intensified in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, with dozens killed in clashes and confrontations with Israeli forces.
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