Israel Defense Forces intensify operations in Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have intensified military operations in Gaza, focusing primarily on Jabalia and Beit Lahia in the northern part of Gaza.

On the night of November 27, the Israeli Air Force launched attacks on dozens of ammunition depots, military buildings, and Hamas infrastructure sites, Caliber.Az reports via the message posted on the website of IDF. 

The selection of targets was partly based on the testimonies of captured militants. When planning the attacks, efforts were made to minimise harm to civilians.

Moreover, terrorist Murad Rajub was killed in Gaza City. Rajub was one of the perpetrators of the May 2002 bombing in Be'er Sheva, which resulted in dozens of civilians being injured.

Rajub was sentenced to 38 years in prison and was released in 2011 as part of the "Shalit deal."

The Israeli military has ordered the evacuation of additional areas in northern Gaza, prompting a new wave of civilian displacement as airstrikes intensified across much of the region.

In Jerusalem, a high-ranking minister stated that the war in Gaza was far from over and that Israel would remain in the territory “for years.”

“Gaza will never be a threat to the state of Israel, no matter how long it takes… I think that we are going to stay in Gaza for a long time… I think most people understand that that will be years,” said Avi Dichter, a member of Israel’s security cabinet.

The IDF stated that evacuation orders for the Shujaiya neighborhood were issued after Palestinian militants launched rockets at Israel from within the densely populated area. Hamas' armed wing claimed responsibility for targeting an army base across the border.

Humanitarian officials have described the situation in northern Gaza as apocalyptic, with tens of thousands of people facing severe shortages of water, sanitation, food, and medical supplies.

Since launching a major offensive early last month, the IDF has blockaded three northern Gaza towns - Jabaliya, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun - citing the goal of preventing Hamas from regrouping in these areas.

By Naila Huseynova