The Israeli military announced, Friday, that it has deployed another military unit to support its forces in Jabaliya, the largest of the eight historic refugee camps in the Gaza Strip, where residents reported tanks destroying roads and homes as they advanced into the area.
Residents of northern Gaza’s Jabaliya camp reported that Israeli tanks reached the heart of the camp, supported by the heavy ground and aerial bombardment, after moving through neighborhoods and residential areas.
Residents added that the Israeli army is destroying dozens of homes daily, sometimes from the air and ground by planting bombs in buildings and then detonating them remotely.
The Israeli military stated that its forces operating in Jabaliya over the past two weeks have killed dozens of militants in close-quarters combat on Thursday, conducted airstrikes, and dismantled military infrastructure.
This escalation of Israeli operations in Jabaliya comes a day after Israel announced it had killed Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, who is accused of ordering the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
The Israeli military says its operation in Jabaliya aims to prevent Hamas fighters from reorganizing to launch more attacks.
Residents also noted that Israeli forces have effectively isolated the northern Gaza towns of Beit Hanoun, Jabaliya, and Beit Lahia from Gaza City, restricting the movement of residents except for families who comply with evacuation orders and leave the three towns.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent appeal for humanitarian aid to be delivered to the Gaza Strip, where the situation has reached critical levels.
The organization’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has highlighted the severe hunger affecting nearly the entire population of Gaza, describing the current conditions as deeply troubling.
Children in Gaza are particularly vulnerable, with many suffering from acute malnutrition and requiring immediate medical assistance.