For over ten days, Jabalia has been at the center of intense Israeli military operations. On Tuesday, at least 50 Palestinians were killed across Gaza as Israeli forces tightened their control around Jabalia in the northern part of the enclave, engaging in fierce clashes with Hamas fighters.
According to Palestinian health officials, 17 people were killed by Israeli strikes near Al-Falouja in Jabalia, one of Gaza’s largest historic refugee camps, while 10 others died in Bani Suhaila, located in the south, after an Israeli missile hit a house. Earlier that day, Israeli airstrikes destroyed three houses in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood, with two bodies recovered and searches continuing for 12 more people feared trapped.
Eight people were killed when another house was struck in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza. Meanwhile, the Gaza health ministry reported that a doctor lost his life trying to aid those wounded by Israeli strikes in Al-Falouja, and several medics were injured when their ambulance came under fire.
The Israeli military has intensified its offensive around Jabalia, raising concerns from Palestinians and U.N. agencies about potential forced displacement of residents, though Israel denies these claims. Residents reported that dozens of homes had been destroyed in the past 10 days.
On Tuesday, Israeli forces stated they had killed numerous fighters in the Jabalia area, including a unit that launched an anti-tank missile. The U.N. expressed concern that Israel was cutting off North Gaza from the rest of the enclave, while humanitarian organizations highlighted the extreme conditions families in Gaza are facing.
The Israeli military’s unit COGAT stated that its operations were targeting terrorist infrastructure embedded in civilian areas and that efforts were being made to provide humanitarian assistance, including medical aid. Hamas, however, denies placing its operatives among civilians.
Israeli forces have now encircled Jabalia and moved tanks into the nearby towns of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, aiming to neutralize Hamas fighters attempting to regroup. The Israeli military has urged residents to evacuate to southern Gaza, though Palestinian and U.N. officials assert there is no truly safe location.
Despite orders to evacuate, Gaza’s hospitals in the north continue to operate under dire conditions, with severe shortages of essential supplies like food, medication, and fuel. Medical officials warned of an impending humanitarian crisis, especially for patients in maternity and neonatal units.
The ongoing Israeli offensive follows Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of around 250 hostages. Gaza’s health authorities report that over 42,000 Palestinians have died since the start of the conflict.