Israeli forces, yet again, are pressing on with their relentless weeks-long offensive in northern Gaza. On Sunday, they issued fresh orders for any remaining residents of Beit Hanoun to pack up and leave, blaming Palestinian militant rocket fire from the area, resulting in another wave of displacement.
Israel insists that its nearly three-month campaign is about targeting Hamas militants and preventing their regrouping. And the evacuations is purely for the safety of civilians, the military assures.
Meanwhile, Palestinian and UN officials keep pointing out the glaringly obvious: nowhere in Gaza is safe, and these so-called evacuations only add to the already unbearable humanitarian crisis.
Beit Hanoun, Jabalia, Beit Lahiya—much of this area is now a wasteland, cleared of people, razed to the ground. Speculation is swirling, again, that Israel plans to turn this land into a “buffer zone” once the chaos subsides. Another push into Beit Hanoun was announced on Saturday. By Sunday, despite the “intense operations,” rocket fire into Israel reportedly continued.
For those trapped in the area? Their fate is sealed. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service says they’ve lost all communication and can’t even attempt to send rescue teams. Business as usual.
Sunday’s toll of despair includes at least 23 lives lost to Israeli military strikes, according to Palestinian health officials. Seven of those deaths occurred at Al-WAFA Hospital in Gaza City, where others were also injured. Later in the day, another airstrike snuffed out seven more lives in a Beit Hanoun house. So far, there’s been no comment from Israel on these strikes.
