By Israeli military strikes in Gaza overnight have resulted in at least 19 Palestinian fatalities, according to medical sources on Saturday. The Israeli forces continue to advance deeper into the Jabalia area, where international relief agencies report thousands of civilians are trapped.
Residents describe ongoing aerial and ground bombardments of Jabalia, the largest of Gaza’s historic refugee camps, located in the northern part of the enclave. The Israeli military has issued new evacuation orders for two neighborhoods on the northern edge of Gaza City, designating the area a “dangerous combat zone.”
Gaza’s Hamas-run interior ministry has urged residents to avoid relocating within northern areas or heading south, claiming continued bombing in areas Israel has declared safe. The Israeli military reports killing dozens of militants and dismantling military infrastructure in Jabalia and nearby areas over the past week.
Palestinian health officials estimate around 150 people have been killed in Jabalia in the past week alone. Friday saw Israeli strikes hit four houses in the area, resulting in approximately 20 deaths and dozens of injuries.
The ongoing military campaign has raised severe humanitarian concerns. UN officials and Palestinian authorities warn of no safe areas in Gaza and voice alarm over critical shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies in the northern region, with a growing risk of famine.
Since the conflict began a year ago, following a Hamas-led assault on southern Israeli communities, more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The war has devastated large parts of the enclave.
Amid the continued fighting, UN officials have expressed concern that the Israeli offensive might disrupt the second phase of a polio vaccination campaign scheduled to start next week. The Gaza health ministry announced the campaign would begin Monday in central Gaza Strip areas, lasting three days before moving to other territories.
