Israeli tanks re-entered parts of the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday after a previous withdrawal, while warplanes conducted air strikes on Rafah in the south, resulting in casualties, according to medics and residents.
The tanks advanced into areas like Beit Hanoun and surrounded schools where displaced families had sought refuge. Residents reported an internet outage in the affected areas.
Beit Hanoun, a once vibrant town, had been heavily bombarded during Israel’s previous ground offensive in Gaza. Many families who had returned to the area following the withdrawal were forced to leave again due to the renewed military activity.
In Rafah, airstrikes caused casualties, including fatalities and injuries, among residents already sheltering in the area. An Israeli airstrike hit a house, resulting in multiple deaths, including children.
An airstrike in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp claimed the lives of 11 Palestinians, including children.
The escalation in violence comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza. Efforts to secure a ceasefire through U.S.-backed talks have so far yielded no breakthrough.
The Israeli military stated that its operations aimed to target gunmen and dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Gaza. However, civilian casualties continue to mount, raising concerns about the humanitarian situation in the region.
Despite international pressure to ease restrictions on humanitarian aid, Israel maintains control over the flow of goods into Gaza.
While some aid has entered the territory, it remains insufficient to meet the growing needs of the population, especially in the face of looming famine in northern areas. The United Nations has warned of dire consequences if aid access is not improved.
