Israeli Forces Advance into New Area in Gaza, Reports Say
Israeli tanks entered a new district on the outskirts of Gaza City overnight, damaging homes and causing residents to flee, according to witnesses.
Late Tuesday, tanks moved into the Ebad-Alrahman neighborhood on the northern edge of Gaza City and fired on houses, injuring several people and forcing many others—caught unprepared—to retreat further into the city, locals reported.
Saad Abed, 60, a former construction worker, said:
*"Suddenly, we heard the tanks had entered Ebad-Alrahman. The explosions grew louder, and we saw people fleeing toward our area. If no ceasefire happens, we’ll soon see the tanks outside our homes."*
Abed lives on Jala Street, roughly one kilometer (0.6 miles) from Ebad-Alrahman.
Israel has stated it is preparing a new operation in Gaza City, which it calls Hamas’ last stronghold. Approximately half of Gaza’s 2 million inhabitants are now staying there, and Israeli officials have said evacuation warnings will be issued.
Thousands have already left, but church leaders in the city stated Wednesday they would remain, calling attempts to move south "nothing short of a death sentence."
A joint statement from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem read:
*"For this reason, the clergy and nuns have chosen to stay and continue aiding those within our compounds."*
Later Wednesday, Israeli tanks withdrew from the edges of Gaza City to Jabaliya, where they have operated for months, though shelling continued in three eastern suburbs—Shejaia, Zeitoun, and Sabra.
Gaza health officials reported Israeli strikes had killed at least 20 people, including a four-year-old girl, across the territory.
The Israeli military said its forces were operating in Jabaliya and near Gaza City to "dismantle militant infrastructure and eliminate fighters."
Israeli Military Conducts Raid in Nablus
Early Wednesday, the Israeli military carried out an operation involving soldiers and armored vehicles in the old city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, witnesses and Palestinian officials stated.
The military confirmed the operation but did not provide details. Residents said the raid began around 3:00 a.m., with soldiers entering several neighborhoods in the densely populated old city.
Nablus governor Ghassan Daghlas criticized the operation, calling it "a show of force without justification." Authorities were informed it would last until afternoon.
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