Israeli strikes kill 30 people in Jabalia, Israel sends more troops into north Gaza
CAIRO — At least 30 people were killed and dozens wounded in Israeli strikes that hit several houses at a square on Friday in Jabalia, the largest of Gaza’s eight historic refugee camps, medics said, where residents said tanks blew up roads and houses as they thrust further into the territory.
The Palestinian official news agency WAFA said at least 20 women and children were among those killed. Medics said at least 50 other people were wounded. There was no immediate Israeli comment.
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Before the new strikes, the Gaza health ministry said at least 39 Palestinians, 20 of them in Jabalia, had been killed by Israeli military strikes across Gaza on Friday.
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire, after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
They added that the Israeli army was destroying dozens of houses daily, from the air and ground, and by placing bombs in buildings then detonating them remotely.
The Israeli military said its forces, which have been operating in Jabalia for the past two weeks, killed dozens of militants in close-quarters combat on Thursday and carried out aerial strikes and dismantled military infrastructure.
Later on Friday, residents in Jabalia and two nearby towns said communications and internet services were cut, disrupting rescue operations by ambulance teams and the ability of people affected by Israeli operations to seek help.
The escalation of Israel’s Jabalia operation came a day after it said it had killed the country’s number one enemy, Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ chief, whom it blamed for ordering the Oct. 7 attack on Israel — the deadliest in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Israeli military says its operation in Jabalia is intended to stop Hamas fighters regrouping for more attacks.
Residents said Israeli forces had effectively isolated the far northern Gazan towns of Beit Hanoun, Jabalia, and Beit Lahiya from Gaza City, blocking movement except for those families heeding evacuation orders and leaving the three towns.
On Friday, health officials appealed for fuel, medical supplies and food to be sent immediately to three northern Gaza hospitals overwhelmed by the number of patients and injuries.
