The conflict in Gaza has entered a new phase of intensification as Israel continues its military operations across the strip, with a particular focus on central Gaza camps and an expanded invasion of Rafah in the south. This escalation has resulted in numerous casualties and further displacement of an already beleaguered population.
In the central Gaza Strip, Israeli air strikes targeted several refugee camps overnight and into Thursday, causing significant loss of life and injuries. The Al-Nuseirat camp was struck, resulting in two deaths and twelve injuries. Nearby, tanks shelled areas in Al-Maghazi and Al-Bureij camps, wounding many residents. These camps, along with five others, represent historic refugee settlements in Gaza.
The city of Deir al-Balah, which has become a haven for displaced persons, also came under attack. An Israeli air strike there killed one Palestinian and wounded several others. In Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood, another air strike claimed seven Palestinian lives. The Hamas-run media reported that an Israeli strike killed a journalist working for Al-Aqsa TV, bringing the total number of journalists killed since October 7 to 152, according to Hamas sources.
Israel’s military maintains that its operations across Gaza are targeting militants and military infrastructure, describing them as “precise, intelligence-based” activities. However, the impact on civilian populations remains severe. The focus of Israel’s advance has shifted to two primary areas: Rafah on Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, and the region surrounding Deir al-Balah in the center. This push has triggered a massive displacement, with over a million people forced to flee since May, many of whom were already displaced from other parts of the enclave.
In Rafah, Israeli tanks have penetrated deep into the western and central areas of the city, intensifying bombardment and compelling families living in coastal areas to move northward. Residents report that the pace of the raid has accelerated in recent days. Abu Wasim, a resident from Rafah’s Al-Shaboura neighborhood, described how tanks have taken control of most areas in Rafah, forcing people living near the beach to flee towards Khan Younis and central areas.
The population of Rafah, which until May 7 housed over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people, has now dwindled to fewer than 100,000 as Israeli forces began their ground offensive into the city.
Despite ongoing efforts by international mediators, backed by the United States, there has been no success in brokering a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad continue to engage Israeli forces with anti-tank rockets, mortar bombs, and pre-planted explosive devices. Israeli authorities released 33 Palestinians who had been detained during the past months in various areas of Gaza. These individuals were admitted to Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah, with complaints of torture and mistreatment by Israeli jailers. Israel denies these allegations, but Palestinian and international human rights groups have criticized Israel’s treatment of Gaza detainees and demanded disclosure of information about their whereabouts and well-being. The current conflict was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of over 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel’s subsequent ground and air campaign has had devastating consequences for Gaza, with more than 37,400 people killed, according to Palestinian health authorities, and nearly the entire population left homeless and destitute.
Attempts to arrange a ceasefire have repeatedly failed since a week-long truce in November. Hamas insists on an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that he will only agree to temporary pauses and will not end the war until Hamas is eradicated and all hostages are freed. The ongoing conflict has raised serious concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with international organizations warning of impending famine and widespread disease. The destruction of infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and residential areas, has left the population in dire straits, with limited access to basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and facilitate a lasting resolution. However, the deeply entrenched positions of both sides make finding a diplomatic solution increasingly challenging. The situation in Gaza remains a source of grave concern for human rights organizations and governments worldwide, as the civilian population continues to bear the brunt of this prolonged and devastating conflict.
