Israel Intensifies Military Operations in Gaza's Largest Refugee Camp

As the Israel-Hamas conflict enters its second year, Israeli military forces have intensified operations in the Jabalia refugee camp, the largest of Gaza's eight refugee camps. Established in 1948, Jabalia covers a mere 1.4 square kilometers but houses over 110,000 people, making it one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

Residents report that Israeli tanks have penetrated deeper into Jabalia, while the Israeli army has issued new evacuation orders for the camp and nearby areas. The military action comes as both sides marked the first anniversary of the conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel.

Palestinian medics have reported casualties in Jabalia but face difficulties accessing areas under fire. The camp, which has been a focal point of Palestinian resistance movements and the birthplace of the First Intifada in 1987, has experienced frequent Israeli airstrikes and incursions over the years.

The Israeli military states that its operations aim to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping and launching attacks from Jabalia. However, the intense bombardment has raised concerns about civilian safety in an area already grappling with chronic water and electricity shortages, as well as limited access to proper sanitation facilities.

"Jabalia is being bombed as if the war has just begun and the world is blind about it. We live at least seven kilometres away, but the sounds of Israeli airstrikes and tank shelling deprive us of sleep. The world must stop Israeli crimes."

The ongoing conflict has severely impacted Jabalia's infrastructure and exacerbated its pre-existing challenges. The camp, which operates 25 UNRWA schools and six health centers, faces some of the highest unemployment rates in Gaza. Many of its residents, descendants of refugees from the 1948 war, rely heavily on humanitarian aid.

Palestinian health officials have not provided updated casualty figures but reported dozens killed in Gaza over the past 24 hours. The Israeli military confirmed one soldier's death in combat in northern Gaza. Since the conflict began, nearly 42,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza's health ministry, while Israel reports 1,200 deaths from the initial Hamas attack.

The Israeli army has directed residents of Jabalia, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya to evacuate to Al-Mawasi, a designated humanitarian zone in southern Gaza. However, Palestinian and U.N. officials argue that no place in Gaza is entirely safe.

As the conflict continues, Jabalia's youth face limited educational and employment opportunities, further complicating the camp's future. The international community remains concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, where most of the 2.3 million residents have been displaced.

Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad claim to have attacked Israeli forces in the north with anti-tank rockets, reporting Israeli casualties. The Israeli military, in turn, states it has killed numerous Palestinian militants and dismantled military infrastructure in Jabalia. These claims, however, cannot be independently verified.

As Jabalia refugee camp, a center for political activism and cultural preservation, endures another round of intense conflict, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the humanitarian crisis and work towards a resolution to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.