Israeli Tanks Reenter Northern Gaza; Warplanes Conduct Air Strikes on Rafah

Reports indicate that Israeli tanks have reentered parts of the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, which had previously been vacated by the Israeli military several weeks ago. Additionally, warplanes carried out air strikes on Rafah, a southern refuge for Palestinians in the territory, resulting in casualties and injuries, as confirmed by medics and residents.

Internet Outage and Evacuations

Residents in the northern Gaza areas of Beit Hanoun and Jabalia reported an internet outage. Tanks reportedly advanced into Beit Hanoun and encircled some schools where displaced families had sought shelter. According to accounts from residents and media outlets affiliated with the militant Palestinian group Hamas, Israeli soldiers instructed families inside the schools and surrounding houses to evacuate. Numerous men were detained during this operation.

Impact on Beit Hanoun

Beit Hanoun, home to approximately 60,000 people, was a primary target of Israel's ground offensive in Gaza last October. The extensive bombardment transformed most of Beit Hanoun, known for its orchards, into a desolate area strewn with debris. Following the recent Israeli incursion, many families who had returned to Beit Hanoun and Jabalia have begun leaving once again.

Deadly Strikes in Rafah

Palestinian health officials stated that in one of the strikes, four individuals were killed and several others were wounded in Rafah. This area is currently serving as the refuge for over half of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants, as they prepare for the anticipated Israeli ground offensive into the city, which shares a border with Egypt.

Efforts for Ceasefire and Humanitarian Situation

Despite six months of conflict, efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, led by Qatar and Egypt with U.S. support, have not yielded any significant progress. Both Israel and Hamas remain steadfast in their uncompromising conditions for a resolution.

Israeli Response and Humanitarian Relief

The Israeli military confirmed its ongoing operations in the central Gaza Strip, reporting the neutralization of several gunmen who attempted to launch an attack. Additionally, it stated that fighter jets and aircraft had targeted a missile launcher and destroyed numerous terrorist infrastructure, tunnels, and military compounds housing armed Hamas operatives.

"Furthermore, over the past day, IDF fighter jets and aircraft destroyed a missile launcher along with dozens of terrorist infrastructure, terror tunnels, and military compounds where armed Hamas terrorists were located," the Israeli military reported.

Israeli forces allegedly bombed and razed four multi-storey residential buildings in Al-Nusseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

Humanitarian Aid and International Pressures

Amid assertions from Israel and others that barriers to humanitarian relief have eased, the U.N. human rights office has criticized Israel for maintaining "unlawful" restrictions on aid to Gaza. Discrepancies exist regarding the amount of aid entering Gaza, with Israel and the U.S. asserting increased aid flows in recent days, while U.N. agencies claim that levels remain well below the minimum requirement.

Pressure is mounting on Israel to permit greater aid access to Gaza, particularly in the northern regions where famine is projected to strike by May, according to the United Nations.

Collaborative Efforts and Casualty Figures

Israel's military has facilitated the entry of 126 trucks into northern Gaza and is working with the World Food Program (WFP) to establish additional bakeries in the region. The Palestinian health ministry has reported that over 33,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since October 7, with 46 fatalities in the past 24 hours.