Tragic reports indicate that at least 33 individuals have lost their lives, with another 85 sustaining injuries, following a barrage of Israeli airstrikes that struck multiple residences in Jabalia—Gaza’s largest and most historic refugee camp. Local medical personnel noted that the damage was extensive, with tanks reportedly leveling roads and homes alike.
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The media office for the Gaza government has warned that the death toll may continue to rise, as many individuals are believed to remain trapped beneath the rubble. The Palestinian news agency WAFA highlighted that children are among the deceased. As of yet, Israeli officials have remained silent regarding these claims.
In addition to the Jabalia assault, other Israeli airstrikes across Gaza have claimed at least 39 Palestinian lives, with 20 fatalities occurring in Jabalia alone, according to the local health ministry.
Local residents describe a grim scene. They report that Israeli tanks have advanced deep into the heart of Jabalia after pushing through the surrounding neighborhoods and residential areas.
The Israeli military reported that their operations in Jabalia, ongoing for the past two weeks, resulted in the elimination of numerous militants during intense close-quarters engagements on Thursday, accompanied by aerial bombings and dismantling of military assets.
In a related development, Israel announced the death of Yahya Sinwar, the chief of Hamas, characterizing him as the primary adversary responsible for orchestrating the October 7 attack—widely regarded as the deadliest incident in the tumultuous history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
According to the Israeli military, the objective of the current operations in Jabalia is to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping and launching subsequent assaults.
Witnesses report that Israeli forces have effectively cut off the northern Gazan towns of Beit Hanoun, Jabalia, and Beit Lahiya from the rest of Gaza City, limiting movement to those families who choose to abide by evacuation orders.
Moreover, residents revealed that communication lines and internet services had been severed, further complicating efforts for rescue operations.
In light of the overwhelming situation, health officials have urgently requested the immediate dispatch of fuel, medical supplies, and food for three hospitals in northern Gaza, which are struggling to cope with the influx of patients and injuries.
At Kamal Adwan Hospital, medics reported a dire scenario where they had to prioritize critically injured adults over children in intensive care units, following a devastating airstrike that targeted a school sheltering displaced families in Jabalia.
Israeli officials defended their operations, asserting that they were targeting militants situated within that facility.
The hospital’s director, Hussam Abu Safiya, shared a video message with the press indicating that the children had been relocated to another section of the hospital for continued care. He lamented the exhaustion of medical staff and the dire depletion of hospital supplies, including essential food items.
In a humanitarian effort, the Israeli military reported sending approximately 30 truckloads of aid into northern Gaza, encompassing food, water, medical supplies, and shelter provisions. Military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani stated in an online briefing, “Our fight is against Hamas, not against the civilians of Gaza.”
However, Hamas and public health officials contend that the delivered aid has failed to reach the most affected locations, particularly the isolated towns facing dire circumstances.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees, took to social media to express concern, noting that the school attack was the third assault on a UNRWA facility this week. He further disclosed that the agency has mourned the loss of 231 personnel over the past year of escalating violence.
The northern regions of Gaza, once home to more than half of the territory’s population of 2.3 million, have been reduced to ruins following the first phase of Israel’s military campaign a year ago.
This military operation was initiated in response to the October 7 incursions led by Hamas fighters into southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the capture of 250 hostages, according to Israeli estimates.
Casualty figures reported by Gaza’s health authorities indicate that over 42,000 Palestinians have perished in the ongoing Israeli offensive thus far.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
