Israel's intensified military operations in northern Gaza have triggered both humanitarian concerns and accusations of disproportionate force as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate. On Monday, Israeli tank shells killed at least 10 people and injured 40 others in Jabalia, a densely populated area and one of Gaza's historic refugee camps, according to Palestinian medics. Israeli forces have encircled Jabalia, pressing their offensive to eliminate Hamas fighters regrouping in the area. Civilians caught in the crossfire are facing devastating conditions, as fears grow that Israel intends to clear northern Gaza of its residents.
Jabalia has been under sustained Israeli assault for more than a week, with Israeli tanks also advancing into neighboring towns like Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun. As the Israeli military increases pressure on Hamas, it has urged civilians to evacuate south, while Hamas has warned residents that leaving could be perilous. This tug-of-war over civilian movement mirrors the early phases of the conflict, which began over a year ago. Since then, thousands have been displaced, with around 400,000 civilians remaining in the northern part of Gaza, according to UN estimates.
Marwa, a 26-year-old resident of Jabalia, spoke to reporters about the ongoing devastation. "We have been hit from the air and the ground, non-stop for a week. They want us to leave, they want to punish us for refusing to leave our homes," she said, after relocating with her family to a school in Gaza City.
Hamas has condemned Israel's actions, accusing the Israeli military of deliberately displacing northern Gaza's population through relentless bombardment and blockades that restrict access to essential supplies like food and medicine. "The international community should act against this war crime," said senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri. "By doing so, [Israel] causes slow death, in addition to the daily killings it has been conducting."
Concerns about a broader displacement strategy have grown after a plan by former Israeli generals surfaced. The proposal suggests that Israel could evacuate all civilians from northern Gaza, leaving any remaining people to be treated as combatants and placing the area under siege. While Israel has denied the implementation of such a plan, its military spokesman Nadav Shoshani emphasized the focus on civilian safety: "We are making sure we're getting civilians out of harm's way while we operate against terror cells in Jabalia."
Humanitarian agencies and local residents are raising alarms over the deteriorating conditions. According to the United Nations, more than 50,000 people have been displaced from the Jabalia area. "Hospitals are seeing an influx of trauma injuries, and critical services like water, food, and medical aid are cut off," said Muhannad Hadi, the UN's Humanitarian Coordinator. The collapse of essential services has left many civilians stranded and vulnerable, without access to basic necessities.
This escalation is the latest chapter in Israel's broader offensive against Hamas, which began after the group's surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. In that attack, Hamas militants killed 1,200 Israelis and took approximately 250 hostages into Gaza. Israel's retaliation has led to a staggering death toll, with over 42,000 Palestinians reported dead, according to Gaza's health authorities.
Amid these devastating developments, international rights groups have voiced concerns over Israel's strategy. A coalition of Israeli rights organizations, including B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, issued a statement urging global intervention to prevent what they fear could become a "surrender-or-starve" strategy in northern Gaza. "States have an obligation to prevent the crimes of starvation and forcible transfer," the statement warned.
In a troubling parallel development, Hamas has reportedly been preventing civilians from evacuating, with reports emerging that Hamas fighters have attacked those attempting to leave. Audio recordings shared by the Israeli military depict a Gaza civilian pleading for help as Hamas militants beat residents trying to flee Jabalia. "We want to leave, and now they're hitting us and telling us to 'go home,'" the resident said.
