Israel increases pressure and presence in northern Gaza - Reuters

Reuters reports that Jabalia has been at the center of Israel's offensive for about ten days. Currently, the military has surrounded the camp and directed tanks toward the nearby cities of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, with the stated goal of eliminating Hamas fighters attempting to regroup there.

Reuters clarifies that Jabalia is home to one of eight historic refugee camps in Gaza. However, as the operation continues, residents find themselves caught between Israel's demands to relocate southward and Hamas's calls to remain in the camp due to the high risks involved.

The UN Human Rights Office stated that Israeli military actions appear to be "cutting off North Gaza completely from the rest of the Gaza Strip."

"The separation of North Gaza raises further concerns that Israel does not intend to allow civilians to return to their homes, and the repeated calls for all Palestinians to leave northern Gaza raise grave concerns of large-scale forced transfer of the civilian population," the statement reads.

Israeli officials have stated that evacuation orders aim to separate Hamas militants from civilians. They also denied any systematic plan to cleanse civilians from Jabalia or other northern areas.

According to Reuters, the operation highlights how unbearable life has become for civilians in Gaza as fighting has shifted from one part of the enclave to another.

Palestinian medical sources reported that on Monday, ten people, including women and children, died in Jabalia due to tank shelling, with 40 others injured. Additionally, eight more people were killed in a separate incident in the Sheikh Radwan area of Gaza City. In response, the Israeli military stated that the incident was under investigation.

"The IDF directs its strikes and operations only against terror targets and operatives and does not target civilian objects and civilians," their statement said.

Meanwhile, the UN described the horrific conditions faced by the civilian population remaining in Jabalia. They noted that over 50,000 people have been forced to leave their homes, and wells, bakeries, medical points, and shelters have been closed. On Monday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the level of civilian casualties in northern Gaza.

In the meantime, a representative of the White House National Security Council stated that Israel must do more to ensure that Palestinian citizens do not suffer from Israeli attacks on Hamas.

It is worth noting that it was recently revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a plan to halt humanitarian aid to northern Gaza. As reported by Politico, he hopes to starve Hamas militants into submission.