Residents in Gaza City said dozens of Israeli air raids
targeted densely populated eastern neighborhoods, including Shujaiya, Tuffah,
and Zeitoun. Videos posted by activists on social media captured scenes of
chaos and explosions illuminating the night sky, followed by flames and thick
plumes of smoke rising above the skyline.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had earlier ordered
residents to leave large parts of northern Gaza, in anticipation of the
attacks. Most of those displaced overnight moved westwards within Gaza City
rather than to the southern region as instructed by the IDF.
"We had no choice but to leave everything behind," said Abeer Talba,
a mother of seven who fled Zeitoun with her family.
"We got phone calls recordings in Arabic telling us we were in a combat
zone and must evacuate immediately.
"This is the seventh time we've been forced to flee," she added.
"We're in the streets again, no food, no water. My children are starving.
Death feels kinder than this."
Amid the growing humanitarian crisis, fears are mounting that the evacuation
orders and sustained air strikes are part of a broader Israeli plan to expand
its ground offensive deeper into Gaza.
But there is also speculation in Israeli media that some generals are close to
concluding that military operations in Gaza are near to being achieved.
That is also the view of many former army leaders who fear that the descent of
the Gaza campaign into more attritional, guerilla-style warfare would lead to
more deaths – of hostages, civilians and soldiers.
The Israeli prime minister's next moves are being closely
watched. While Benjamin Netanyahu's instincts have always been to continue the
war and defeat Hamas, he is coming under increasing pressure at home and abroad
to pursue a new ceasefire agreement.
