The Israeli forces expanded their attack on Gaza on Sunday, taking control of more territory and issuing new discharge orders for residents who have just recently returned to their homes.
The Israeli military renewed its attack on Gaza this week after talks to expand a fragile, temporary ceasefire that came into force in mid -January reached a deadlock. On Sunday, he said that these operations had moved to additional areas in the north and south of the enclave.
Israel said its troops had begun operating in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, to expand a Buffer zone. The army also said it had carried out more air strikes against Hamas’ targets and infrastructure and allowed people to evacuate.
The army also issued an evacuation order for the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood of the South city of Rafah, telling residents to leave on foot along a particular route and block vehicles.
The Municipality of Rafah said in a statement that thousands of families were forced to leave on foot bombing during the Ramadan fasting Muslim month. This left them homeless amid a serious lack of basic needs and scenes due to the closure of the Israeli government from the Gaza junction, the municipality noted.
“I hear a lot of shots and bombings,” said Riham Abu Marzouq, 22, on a telephone call on Sunday afternoon, leaving her home in Rafah with nine relatives. “Now we walk,” she added, longing for and struggling to catch her breath.
In the midst of escalating in battle and evacuation orders, the Gaza Ministry of Health said on Sunday that the number of deaths in the pocket since the war began had exceeded 50,000 people – including 39 people killed in Israeli bombings. Ministry data do not distinguish citizens and fighters.
Hamas announced that Israel killed a senior member of its political office, Salah Al-Bardawil, one night. The team said Mr Al-Bardawil, one of the prominent representatives of the fighter team, had been killed with his wife in a strike on their stage at Al-Mawasi, an area in southern Gaza that the Israeli army had designated as a humanitarian zone and called by Tali Al
After noon on Sunday, the army said that his troops had completely surrounded Tal al-Sultan, had eliminated several fighters and had attacked a location that had been used in recent months as a Hamas command and control center.
Neither could the claim be verified independently.
Gaza Palestinian Political Defense warned Sunday of “forthcoming dangers that threaten the lives” of more than 50,000 people in Rafa.
“The situation in Rafah is very difficult,” said Huthayfah Lafi, a southern city resident who lives near Tal Al-Sultan. He said he decided not to evacuate the area on Sunday “until the situation became clearer” because “we have nowhere else to go”.
And the Palestinian Red Crescent said she had lost contact with four of her ambulances who said she was trapped in Rafah and crew members were hurt by Israeli fire. The Israeli army said he was considering reports, but did not immediately comment.
Mohammed Abu Taha, 42, said Sanaa’s sister and her family were able to return home to Rafah only in recent weeks. Around Dawn on Sunday, “they were surprised by the Israeli tanks moving towards them,” he said, relaying what his sister told him on the phone while leaving Khan Younis, where he has protected.
“They are only allowed to carry a small bag,” Mr Abu Taha said.
The Israeli government has said that the renewed attack – along with the obstruction of all goods and humanitarian aid into Gaza – aims to increase Hamas pressure to release hostages that are still being held in the pockets and destroying the military.
The hostages were transferred to Gaza during the attack by Hamas in Southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war. Hamas has so far refused to release a significant number of hostages unless Israel promises to end the war permanently. Israel has regulated the end of the war for Hamas’ agreement to abandon its hands and power in Gaza.
The repetition of the military campaign in Gaza did not find the same national consensus between the Israelis as the war shortly after the October 2023 attack. Instead, it has increased the concerns about hostages, up to 24 of whom are still believed to have First 15 months of battle.
The report was contributed by Myra noveck Abu bakr bashir; Bilal shbair and Iyad abuheweila.
