Israeli forces have escalated their actions in northern Gaza, shutting off the Jabalia refugee camp where at least ten civilians died waiting in line for food on Monday, Palestinian medics said. With tanks streaming into the border towns of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, Israel’s military is trying to strike Hamas militants regrouping in the area. Northern Gaza will be completely isolated, and there is a high risk of humanitarian impact,” said the United Nations.

The operation, which has been focusing on the Jabalia district for over ten days, has placed the residents in a tricky position. The Israelis have ordered the civilians to shift south, an order which Hamas discourages them from citing the dangers involved. Marwa, a 26-year-old resident of Jabalia, said there is always a fear of being displaced, saying that they fear one may never return to his place if he leaves.

The United Nations yesterday condemned the situation but accused Israel of acts that raise fears of a possible large-scale forced transfer of the civilian population. Nonetheless, Israeli officials claimed that evacuation orders were made solely to separate Hamas militants from civilians and denied any systematic plan to clear civilians from northern Gaza.

Conditions for civilians in Jabalia are dire. Local medics said that tank shelling on Monday killed 10, while 40 were reportedly injured, including women and children. Israeli forces said the incident is under review and reiterated its strikes target only Hamas operatives and military infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the human situation is more critical, with more than 50,000 people displaced and water wells, bakeries, and medical points shut down. The northern Gaza region hosts half of the 2.3 million population in which it has been pounded, and 400,000 residents are left despite the evacuation orders.

Hamas accused Israel of attempting to ethnically cleanse its citizens by a senior official identified as Sami Abu Zuhri, stating that the military operation constituted a “war crime” and appealed to international powers to intervene in the situation.

A controversial plan presented by former Israeli generals has heightened the tensions even further, suggesting northern Gaza be cleansed of civilians and put under siege until Hamas militants surrender. The Israeli military has denied such a plan, arguing its focus is protecting civilians as it goes after Hamas fighters.

Israeli officials responded with the attack in retaliation to Hamas’ deadly October 7 assault, during which the group killed 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped 250 people. The war has left over 42,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel’s plans for Gaza remain unclear, as the government has repeatedly stated that its reason for attacking Gaza is to eliminate Hamas and free the hostages Hamas is holding.

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