Israeli military encircles Jabalya in northern Gaza as several reported killed in strikes
The Israeli military says it has “encircled” Jabalya in northern Gaza and is “continuing to operate in the area.”
Ahead of the ground operation in the refugee camp, airstrikes were carried out overnight, the military confirmed, including against what it says are “weapons storage facilities, underground infrastructure sites, terrorist cells, and additional military infrastructure sites.”
A journalist in the area told CNN the strikes lasted about 90 minutes and were concentrated on eastern Jabalya and nearby Gaza City.
Paramedics from the Palestine Red Crescent Society said two people had been killed and several others taken to hospital after an apartment in a building near the UNRWA clinic in Jabalya refugee camp was struck. UNRWA is a relief organization working in the Palestinian territories.
In a statement, the military said it had detected the presence of Hamas members in the area, as well as efforts by them “to rebuild its operational capabilities in the area,” and was moving forward with the operation to “dismantle” that infrastructure in the area, saying it will “continue as long as required in order to achieve its objectives.”
In May, CNN reported that the Israeli military had renewed its fighting in northern Gaza where it had claimed, in January, to have dismantled Hamas’ command structure. During that period, the Israeli military said Hamas was trying to “reassemble” in the area, raising doubts about whether Israel’s goal of eradicating the group in the enclave is realistic.
Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli military warned residents in northern Gaza to evacuate.
The Arabic-speaking spokesperson for the Israeli military Avichay Adraee said the military is “publishing a new evacuation map for the northern Gaza Strip.”
Adraee also said the military has expanded the scope of the “humanitarian area” in Al-Mawasi, including the routes to get there. The area indicates places the Israeli military says civilians can safely travel.
“The expanded Humanitarian Area includes field hospitals that have been established since the outbreak of the war, tent compounds, and supplies of food, water, medicine, and medical equipment,” the military said.
A journalist in Gaza told CNN Palestinians have been evacuating the area since late Saturday and moving toward Gaza City.
