In a recent interview, Palestinians fleeing from the Israeli ground offensive in the Jabalia refugee camp shared their distressing experiences. One man recounted a horrifying scene, saying, “After Israeli forces ordered us to leave our shelter, I saw streets scattered with bodies.” A woman added that many were forced to abandon their children in the chaos as they scrambled to escape.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has called for a temporary truce to allow safe passage for families still trying to get away. Meanwhile, two local hospitals reported they were nearing depletion of essential supplies, amplifying the urgency of the situation.
According to the Israeli military, operations against Hamas fighters are ongoing, but they also asserted their commitment to ensuring civilians can evacuate safely. Since the offensive began on October 6, more than 400 individuals are believed to have lost their lives, and tens of thousands have been displaced, as Israeli forces aim to neutralize what they claim are regrouped Hamas militants in the area.
This turmoil coincided with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Israel, where he aimed to rejuvenate stalled negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal following the recent killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by Israeli troops. After meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken expressed a desire to capitalize on this moment, stating, “I want to make sure that this is a moment of opportunity to move forward.” He further stressed the importance of enhancing and maintaining humanitarian aid flow into Gaza.
