KEY POINTS
- Israel intensifies military operations in Gaza, killing 29 people on Saturday.
- Jabalia residents face evacuations and mounting casualties from airstrikes.
- Relief agencies warn of severe shortages and rising famine risks.
Israeli air and ground strikes killed at least 29 Palestinians on Saturday as forces pushed deeper into Jabalia, where relief agencies say thousands are trapped.
Israeli forces escalate operations in northern Gaza
Residents reported continued bombing in Jabalia, Gaza’s largest refugee camp, located in the northern part of the enclave. Nineteen people were killed overnight, with 10 more deaths reported Saturday evening after strikes on houses in Jabalia and the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza. Medical staff warned the death toll could rise, with many wounded in critical condition.
The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for two neighbourhoods on Gaza City’s northern edge, labelling the area a “dangerous combat zone.” Hamas-run authorities urged residents to remain in place, claiming Israel continues bombing areas it deems safe.
The military said it targeted Hamas fighters using civilian buildings and had issued evacuation orders to locations such as the Kamal Adwan Hospital. On Saturday, it reported that a convoy transporting patients from the hospital to Gaza City arrived with fuel for the facility.
Ongoing operations in Jabalia have reportedly killed dozens of militants, destroyed weapons, and dismantled infrastructure, according to the Israeli military. According to a report from Reuters, airstrikes, tank fire, and close-range gunfire killed more than 20 fighters on Saturday as operations continued in Gaza.
The campaign, launched last week, aims to disrupt Hamas operations and prevent the group from regrouping. Hamas, however, denies using civilian areas for military purposes.
Humanitarian efforts struggle under worsening conditions
Palestinian officials estimate that 150 people have died in Jabalia over the past week. U.N. and Palestinian officials say Gaza has no safe areas and warn of worsening shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies, with famine risks growing in northern areas.
Israel’s military campaign, launched after Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians over the past year, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The conflict began after the attack killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 250 hostages, Israeli officials said.
On Saturday, Hamas accused Israel of punishing Jabalia residents for refusing to evacuate and called the attacks evidence of Israel’s failure to defeat the group. Israel denies targeting civilians.
The armed wings of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other factions said they attacked Israeli forces in Jabalia with anti-tank rockets and mortar fire.
U.N. officials expressed concern that Israel’s operations in northern Gaza could disrupt the second phase of a polio vaccination campaign scheduled to begin next week.
