Israeli Troops and Hamas Fighters Clash, Causing Thousands of North Gaza Civilians to Flee

Thousands of Palestinian civilians flee the north of Gaza seeking asylum from Israeli air strikes and ground fighting between Israeli troops and Hamas militants. An Israeli window of opportunity allows for a brief four-hour exodus, but the violence persists in both central and southern Gaza.

Palestinian health officials report 18 deaths from an air strike in the Nusseirat refugee camp, along with six more casualties in Khan Younis—a scene described by witnesses as devastating and horrifying. In the Gaza City, Israeli forces have advanced, while Hamas fighters claim to have inflicted major losses.

The Israeli military demolishes 130 tunnel shafts used by Hamas, with airstrikes killing a significant weapons maker. Battles within the military, sources say, have had heavy casualties as well, with civilian casualties and the destruction of entire neighborhoods causing the UN Secretary General Gutteres to express concern over Israel’s global image.

A large-scale Palestinian exodus is underway, with displaced individuals now seeking shelter in schools, hospitals, and other sites across Gaza. Within the besieged city, conditions are worsening, with severe food and water shortages. Despite Israel’s objectives and vague long-term plans for Gaza, the military’s reasoning and impact on civilians continue to escalate.

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