Israeli Military Encircles Jabalya in Northern Gaza Amid Deadly Strikes

The Israeli military has reported that it has surrounded Jabalya in northern Gaza and is actively conducting operations in the region. In preparation for this ground operation, they executed several airstrikes targeting alleged weapons storage, underground facilities, terrorist cells, and military infrastructure in the area. According to a CNN journalist, these strikes focused mainly on eastern Jabalya and nearby Gaza City, lasting around 90 minutes.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that these strikes resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injured others, with one of the strikes impacting an apartment close to a UNRWA clinic in the Jabalya refugee camp.

The Israeli military has stated its objective is to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure in the area due to detected activities aimed at restoring their operational capabilities. They have communicated their intention to continue these operations as necessary to meet their strategic goals.

Back in May, CNN had covered the Israeli military’s resumed operations in northern Gaza, following claims made in January that they had dismantled the command structure of Hamas there. Despite these efforts, there were indications that Hamas was attempting to regroup, casting doubt on the feasibility of Israel’s aim to completely eliminate Hamas from Gaza.

Recently, the Israeli military advised civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate, with a new evacuation map being published for the area. Avichay Adraee, the Arabic-speaking spokesperson for the Israeli military, mentioned the expansion of a “humanitarian area” in Al-Mawasi that includes access routes, field hospitals established since the war began, and areas providing essential supplies like food, water, and medical resources.

Journalists have reported that evacuations began late Saturday, with Palestinians moving towards Gaza City in response to the military warnings.