New Israeli Escalation in Gaza: Intense Raids and Worsening Crisis for Displaced in Tents

The Israeli occupation army escalated its military attacks early Sunday morning, with its warplanes launching seven airstrikes targeting various areas in the Gaza Strip. The attacks focused on the cities of Rafah in the south and Gaza in the north, coinciding with widespread demolition operations of residential buildings in areas where military vehicles had advanced, leading to the destruction of citizens' property and exacerbating panic among residents.

In the context of field assaults, medical sources reported the martyrdom of two Palestinians due to gunfire by occupation forces in Khan Yunis city and Jabalia refugee camp. Three other citizens were injured by occupation bullets east of Gaza City, accompanied by indiscriminate artillery shelling that targeted residential neighborhoods near the contact lines, while the occupation army claimed to have eliminated an armed individual who approached its forces north of the Strip.

Field statistics indicate that the occupation has committed hundreds of violations of the ceasefire agreement in effect since October 10th. These continuous violations have resulted in the martyrdom of 612 people and the injury of approximately 1640 Palestinians with varying degrees of wounds, placing fragile understandings under the pressure of ongoing military escalation and daily violations.

On the humanitarian front, Amjad Al-Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGO Network, warned of the deteriorating living conditions for displaced persons due to the prevention of mobile homes ('caravans') from entering. Al-Shawa affirmed that the occupation continues to control large areas of the Strip and is working to expand what is known as the 'Yellow Line' towards populated areas, tightening the noose on residents and depriving them of vital spaces.

Al-Shawa explained that thousands of Palestinian families are still living in dilapidated tents or in the open without any real shelter solutions to protect them from weather fluctuations. He accused the occupation authorities of reneging on humanitarian understandings that stipulate the entry of shelter supplies, noting that Israeli forces effectively control about 60% of the total area of the Gaza Strip.

Expanding the scope of buffer zones and military control has directly led to a reduction in available space for residents, especially in the eastern and northern areas, which are considered the food basket of the Strip. These measures complicate international and local relief efforts and limit the ability of institutions to reach the most affected groups by the aggression and ongoing siege.

Regarding border crossings, human rights sources confirmed that the entry of humanitarian aid remains below the required level and does not meet the minimum needs of the population. The occupation authorities impose strict restrictions on the entry of building materials and prefabricated homes, hindering any attempt to address the escalating housing crisis that hundreds of thousands have suffered from for many months.

Approximately 2.4 million Palestinians live in the besieged Gaza Strip for over 18 years, including 1.5 million displaced persons who lack the most basic necessities for a dignified life. Israel continues to prevent the entry of sufficient quantities of food, medicine, and medical supplies, placing the health and relief sectors before unprecedented challenges amid the ongoing aggression and siege.

Thousands of families are still residing in dilapidated tents or in the open, in the absence of real shelter solutions and the prevention of mobile homes from entering.