Thousands of individuals remain trapped in Jabalia camp in Gaza as Israeli forces continue their deadly attacks, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). This escalation of violence comes a week after Israel launched an offensive in the region, claiming it is targeting Hamas militants regrouping in the area.
On Friday, Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Palestinians in Jabalia, with dozens more wounded, as medics reported significant destruction, including damage to four nearby homes. The total fatalities across the Gaza Strip reached at least 61 on the same day, with Jabalia being the epicenter of the casualties.
The Israeli military asserts that it has killed numerous militants in Jabalia, although the exact number of civilian casualties remains unclear. MSF project coordinator Sarah Vuylsteke highlighted the dire situation, stating, “Nobody is allowed to get in or out; anyone who tries is getting shot.” Five MSF staff members are reportedly trapped in the camp.
The violence has left the population in Jabalia in a state of desperation. An MSF driver, Haydar, expressed the precariousness of their situation, saying, “I don’t know what to do; at any moment we could die. People are starving. I am afraid to stay, and I am also afraid to leave.”
Recent reports indicated that at least 15 of the fatalities in Jabalia were the result of Israeli strikes on various locations, including a school sheltering displaced individuals. The Gaza Civil Defence stated that drone strikes by the Israeli military also caused injuries at the school.
The situation has prompted no immediate response from the Israeli military, which previously justified attacks on such shelters by alleging that militants utilize them for cover. Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, has denied these claims and stated that it will continue its resistance against Israeli forces.
In the wake of this escalating conflict, Palestinian health officials have reported at least 130 deaths since the operation began. The Israeli military has issued evacuation orders for numerous areas in northern Gaza, where over 400,000 people are believed to be trapped.
United Nations officials have expressed concern that the ongoing offensive and evacuation orders could disrupt the upcoming second phase of a polio vaccination campaign scheduled to commence next week. The campaign is crucial after a reported case of paralysis from the type 2 poliovirus in August, marking the first such incident in 25 years in Gaza.
Sources By Agencies
