Israeli forces intensify assaults in Gaza’s Jabilia camp, causing thousands to be unable to leave, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). The siege, initiated by Israel, began a week prior to stop Hamas from regrouping. After Friday’s attacks, reports made clear that it resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Palestinians with many others suffering injuries. The strikes also caused damage to four neighbouring homes, escalating the grim situation.
As per medical sources, Israeli military operations proceeded across the Gaza Strip last Friday, taking the lives of roughly 61 Palestinians. Astonishingly, almost fifty percent of the fatalities were accounted for in Jabilia. It covers the northern expanse of Gaza and includes the region’s largest historical refugee camp.
Israel has reported the execution of a large number of militants in the Jabilia camp, but the actual number of civilians who lost their lives remains uncertain.
Sarah Vuylsteke, a project coordinator at MSF, revealed the frightening circumstances, stating no one is permitted to leave or enter Jabilia, and those who try are shot. She also revealed the ordeal of a few of their staff who were stranded amid the chaos.
A driver for the MSF, Haydar, was quoted speaking about his fear of staying in the tragic situation where the death could be imminent, and the dread of leaving.
Recent Israeli strikes early morning targeted a range of locations in Jabilia, including a school used as a shelter for the displaced. This led to roughly 15 fatalities, as stated by medical sources quoted by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa. Coupled with this, Gaza’s civil defence reported injuries caused by Israel’s quadcopter drone targeting the same school.
While the Israeli military has remained silent, it has previously defended its actions by claiming that Hamas uses these shelters for covert activities. This claim, however, has been refused by Hamas. Furthering the distress, Israeli military forces have also moved into adjacent towns such as Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya, in addition to Jabilia. In response, Hamas has vowed to continue its resistance against Israeli forces.
The Palestinian health authorities have divulged that so far, there has been a minimum of 130 casualties from the operation, whilst the army has instructed the occupants to clear areas where the UN believes over 400,000 individuals are trapped.
There is a growing apprehension among UN officials about the continuous Israeli assault and the eject orders in northern Gaza, possibly interfering with the next phase of its polio inoculation campaign, which is intended to kick off the following week.
A great number of healthcare facilities in Gaza are reportedly under expulsion orders issued by the Israeli army, which further complicates aid efforts amid the ongoing confrontation.
Charitable organisations organised an inaugural round of immunisations the previous month after a child was left partially immobilised by the type two polio virus in August, marking the first occurrence of such an incident in the territory in a quarter of a century. – Reuters.