Israeli tanks push into northern Gaza

GAZA: Israeli tanks pushed into the northern Gaza areas of Beit Lahiya and Jabalia on Saturday night, and planes hit several houses, killing at least 20 people, according to medics.

The Israeli military said its forces had encircled the area Jabalia, the focus of its operations.

In one air strike, 10 people were killed in one house, and five others in another strike on a second home and residents described it as one of the worst nights in many months.

The Israeli military said its forces were operating in Jabalia, the largest of Gaza Strip’s eight historic refugee camps, to fight Hamas, dismantle military infrastructure and prevent Hamas from regrouping.

“Before the start of the operation, the Air Force attacked dozens of military targets to support the manoeuvring forces, including weapons depots, underground structures, terrorist cells, and additional military structures,” the Israeli military statement said.

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“The operation will continue as necessary, with systematic strikes and the radical destruction of terrorist structures in the region,” it added.

It directed residents to head towards the humanitarian-designated area in Al-Mawasi in the southern Gaza Strip.

Palestinian and U.N. officials say no place in the enclave is safe including the humanitarian zones where Israeli missiles have hit several times.

“The war is back,” said Raed, 52, from Jabalia, before he and his family left for Gaza City on Sunday as tanks pushed into the area.

“Dozens of explosions from air strikes and tank shelling shook the ground and buildings, it felt like the early days of the war,” he told Reuters via a chat app.

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Asked whether they would go to Al-Mawasi as the army requested, he replied: “As if they didn’t kill people displaced in the so-called humanitarian areas? We will not leave northern Gaza.”

The Israeli army has said Hamas has exploited the civilian population in humanitarian-designated areas, an allegation Hamas denies.