The Israeli army has significantly intensified its military operations in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood of Gaza City, unleashing a wave of airstrikes and ground assaults that have left dozens dead, scores injured, and thousands more displaced, according to both Palestinian and Israeli sources.
Local eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli tanks advanced into eastern Shuja’iyya early Friday under the cover of continuous aerial bombardment. The area, one of the most densely populated in Gaza, has reportedly suffered heavy casualties. Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Gaza Civil Defense, said the bombardment had made rescue efforts nearly impossible, leaving many injured civilians trapped under the rubble or unreachable.
“The explosions continued throughout the night, forcing families to flee in panic,” said Adli Mansour, a resident of Shuja’iyya. Another local, Ibrahim Hathat, described the night as terrifying. “Without warning, we had to choose between staying under bombardment or fleeing to an unknown fate. The sky was lit up with fire, and we thought we wouldn’t survive,” he said.
In a statement, the Israeli army confirmed it had expanded ground operations in the area, targeting what it described as Hamas military sites, including a command center. The army stated that several militants had been killed during the offensive. It also said designated evacuation corridors had been established to allow civilians to leave the area, although fighting continued.
The latest escalation follows the resumption of Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip on March 18. According to Gaza’s health authorities, at least 1,249 Palestinians have been killed and over 3,000 injured since then. The total death toll since the outbreak of the war in October 2023 has now surpassed 50,600, with more than 115,000 reported injuries.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, aid agencies continue to warn of catastrophic conditions for civilians in Gaza, with many areas cut off from essential services, medical support, and safe shelter. The renewed offensive in Shuja’iyya marks yet another flashpoint in the ongoing and devastating conflict.
