Siege of North Gaza | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, the insurgency in the North Gaza Strip, and the Gaza genocide during the Israel–Hamas war | |||||||
Gaza Strip under Palestinian control
Gaza Strip under Israeli control
Former occupied territories regained from Israel | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
Israel |
Hamas | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Ehsan Daxa †[6] | Unknown | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Strength | |||||||
Unknown | 5,000 fighters[10] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Per IDF: 18+ soldiers killed or injured[11][12] Per Hamas: 2 Merkava tanks destroyed[13] |
Per IDF:[14] 1,300+ fighters killed 1,000+ fighters arrested | ||||||
The siege of North Gaza[17][18] was an engagement of the Israel–Hamas war in the North Gaza Governorate, Gaza Strip, between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian forces. It began on 5 October 2024 when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reinvaded Jabalia and its refugee camp for the first time in months since earlier fighting.[19][10]
The siege was reportedly part of Israel's "generals' plan" to force Palestinians out of northern Gaza by designating it a combat zone and issuing evacuation orders to civilians under threat of death.[20] The IDF imposed a complete siege on northern Gaza, cutting it off from Gaza City by destroying most of the roads leading south and preventing the entry of aid.[21][22] Evacuations were hindered, however, by Israeli bombardments and shootings of fleeing civilians, leaving many trapped.[23] Human rights groups raised concerns of war crimes, and Israeli actions were characterized as ethnic cleansing and genocide.[24][25] Israel attacked hospitals and medical infrastructure, as international bodies warned of disastrous conditions in Jabalia.[26]
Israel's siege extended to Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun, with officials stating no food had been allowed to enter either town or Jabalia.[27] A senior COGAT official stated that aid delivery was being confined to Gaza City because there was "no population" remaining in Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun.[28]
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on 19 January 2025, with the IDF withdrawing from northern Gaza to a buffer zone along the Gaza Strip–Israel border on that same day.[29]
Palestinian health officials said at least another 20 people had been killed since Saturday night in northern Gaza, after the army sent tanks into areas there for the first time in months and urged residents to leave.
Northern Gaza, particularly the Jabalia camp, witnessed a night of terror as Israel launched a ground incursion into the area on Saturday evening... Missiles began to strike Jabalia around Saturday afternoon and continued without stopping through the night, accompanied by the advance of Israeli military vehicles in northwestern and northeastern parts of the strip...
Stray dogs
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Thousands trapped in Jabalia camp
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Dead bodies everywhere
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Last remaining hospitals in North Gaza
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).