Gaza City – Dozens of Palestinian families are fleeing their homes in the Al-Tuffah and Al-Shuja’iyya neighborhoods, east of Gaza City, following renewed Israeli military activity. The Israeli army has reportedly advanced into areas previously evacuated under the ceasefire agreement, prompting widespread condemnation from Hamas.
Eyewitness accounts detail an advance of approximately 300 meters into the neighborhoods, accompanied by explosions and artillery shelling. This has forced residents to abandon their tents and damaged homes in a continuous wave of displacement over the past three days.
Families are navigating narrow alleyways amidst the sounds of shelling and tanks, carrying what belongings they can on small carts or their shoulders. Children are seen hurrying behind their parents in a state of fear.
According to Hosni Muhanna, a spokesperson for the Gaza Municipality, the Israeli military’s actions constitute a deliberate effort to forcibly displace civilians by expanding the so-called ‘yellow zone.’ This involves pushing concrete blocks westward, further squeezing the civilian population and undermining the sense of security for families who believed they were in safe areas.
Reports also indicate extensive demolition operations carried out by the Israeli army in areas under its control in the central Gaza Strip, northeast of the Bureij refugee camp. Loud explosions and heavy smoke have been witnessed, coinciding with artillery shelling and intense firing from tanks and helicopters east of Khan Yunis and Rafah in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The situation remains volatile, with ongoing military operations exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and forcing more Palestinians to flee their homes in search of safety. DZWatch will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.
