A Palestinian man carries a child while walking near rubble, following an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 27, 2024. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled
Israeli Military Operations Intensify in Gaza City
Overview
On Thursday, the Israeli military intensified its operations in Gaza City, instructing Palestinian residents to relocate southward as tanks advanced into the area and airstrikes targeted the southern city of Rafah. This marks what Israel describes as the final stages of its campaign against Hamas militants.
Events in Shejaia
Residents of the Shejaia neighborhood reported being startled by the sudden approach of Israeli tanks and subsequent gunfire in the early afternoon. Drones also participated in the attack, following overnight bombings of Gaza City, which had already been heavily targeted earlier in the conflict. Mohammad Jamal, a 25-year-old resident, described the scene as reminiscent of the conflict’s onset, with multiple bombings causing significant destruction.
Casualties and Civilian Impact
The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service reported that Israeli strikes had resulted in at least seven fatalities in Shejaia by late Thursday, with concerns that more casualties remained trapped under rubble. Rescue operations have been hindered by the ongoing violence. Footage obtained by Reuters depicted civilians, including women, children, and men, fleeing the area with their belongings. Some were seen carrying injured children.
An Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment on the reported casualties. Meanwhile, the armed wing of Hamas ally Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for detonating an explosive device against an Israeli tank in the area.
Israeli and Hamas Statements
The Israeli military accuses Hamas militants of embedding themselves within civilian populations and asserts that it issues warnings to displaced persons to evacuate conflict zones. Army spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation directive to residents of Shejaia via social media, urging them to move south on Salah al-Din Street to a designated humanitarian zone. However, residents and Hamas media reported that the tanks had already advanced before the warning, causing residents to flee westward under fire.
Humanitarian Situation
Eight months into the conflict, triggered by Hamas-led militants’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, humanitarian officials warn that Gaza faces severe famine risks, with nearly half a million individuals experiencing critical food insecurity. Mohammad Jamal highlighted the dire conditions in Gaza City, describing the population as being “starved” and “hunted by tanks and planes.”
Child Malnutrition and Casualties
A Gaza health official reported that another child succumbed to malnutrition and dehydration at Kamal Adwan Hospital, raising the total number of child fatalities from these conditions to at least 31. The official noted that the conflict has complicated efforts to accurately record such cases. Israel denies responsibility for the famine conditions, attributing aid distribution issues to humanitarian agencies and accusing Hamas of misappropriating aid, allegations that Hamas denies.
Destruction in Rafah
Drone footage circulating on social media, which Reuters could not immediately verify, showed extensive destruction in Rafah, including the complete devastation of the Swedeya village.
International and U.S. Involvement
Despite ongoing international mediation efforts backed by the U.S., a ceasefire agreement has not been reached. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, during his visit to Washington, discussed post-war governance proposals for Gaza involving local Palestinians, regional partners, and the U.S., acknowledging the process would be lengthy and complex.
U.S. officials have maintained a pause on a shipment of heavy munitions to Israel, expressing concerns over potential civilian casualties. Hamas insists that any agreement must include an end to the conflict and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel is only willing to consider temporary pauses in fighting until Hamas is eradicated.
Conflict Statistics
The conflict, which began with Hamas-led militants’ incursion into southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and the capture of over 250 hostages. The subsequent Israeli offensive has led to 37,765 deaths in Gaza, according to the Gaza health ministry, with most victims reported to be civilians. The Israeli military has reported 314 soldiers killed, asserting that at least one-third of the Palestinian casualties are militants.
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