At least 29 people have been killed in Israeli military strikes on northern Gaza, as reported by medics amidst escalating attacks on the north of the Strip. Israeli forces intensified their airstrikes on the northern area of Jabalia on Saturday, pushing deeper into the area which houses the largest historic refugee camps in the enclave. International relief agencies have raised concerns as thousands of people are currently trapped in the region.
Two houses in Jabalia and the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza were struck by Israeli forces, resulting in the overnight deaths of 19 individuals. Additionally, another 10 people lost their lives on Saturday evening, with medics warning that the death toll may rise further as many of the wounded are in critical condition. The Israeli military has issued new evacuation orders to two neighborhoods on the northern edge of Gaza City, labeling the area as a “dangerous combat zone.”
In response, the Strip’s Hamas-run interior ministry advised residents against relocating within northern areas of the enclave and cautioned against heading south, where ongoing Israeli airstrikes and bombings pose a continuous threat. The Israeli military stated that it has been targeting Hamas fighters utilizing civilian buildings and has issued clear evacuation instructions in recent days, including to the Kamal Adwan Hospital.
Over the past week, Palestinian health officials estimate that around 150 individuals have been killed in Jabalia. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, Israel has warned individuals in the south of the country to evacuate due to escalating offensives against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group. The UN peacekeeping force’s headquarters in Naqoura was hit, with a peacekeeper sustaining injuries from gunfire. Amidst the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, concerns have been raised about potential disruptions to Lebanon’s ports and airport services.
Israeli airstrikes also hit various areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, resulting in casualties and hospital damages. The total death toll in Lebanon over the past year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has now climbed to 2,255, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Iranian officials expressed solidarity with the Lebanese and Palestinian people amidst the escalating violence in the region.
As the military campaign continues in Gaza to eliminate Hamas militants, Palestinian and UN officials have highlighted the absence of safe zones in Gaza and severe shortages of essential supplies, raising concerns about the risk of famine in northern Gaza. The conflict, ongoing for a year, has resulted in over 42,000 Palestinian casualties according to Gaza’s health ministry, leading to widespread devastation in the enclave.
The hostilities began following a Hamas-led assault on southern Israeli communities in October 2023, during which over 1,200 individuals were killed and hundreds were taken hostage as per Israeli reports. The situation remains highly volatile in the region, with ongoing clashes and escalating tensions between various factions.