Israeli forces intensify their assaults on Rafah and the Jabalia camp in Gaza.

Photo-REUTERS

Amid escalating tensions, Israeli forces intensified their operations in Gaza's Jabalia camp and Rafah on Monday, according to reports from residents and Hamas media. Tanks reportedly attempted to advance towards the center of the Jabalia camp, the largest of Gaza's historic refugee camps, while tank shells landed in the heart of the camp and air strikes destroyed clusters of houses. The attacks resulted in casualties, with residents and medics reporting deaths and injuries. However, the intensity of the Israeli bombardment hindered medics' efforts to access some of the bombed areas.

In Rafah, near the border with Egypt, Israeli forces increased aerial and ground bombardments on the eastern areas of the city, leading to further casualties. Residents described the eastern part of Rafah as a "ghost town," with Israeli tanks cutting off key roads. Meanwhile, in Israel, the military sounded sirens in areas near Gaza in anticipation of potential rocket or mortar launches from Palestinian militants.

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Israeli military operations in Jabalia aimed to prevent Hamas, the ruling party in Gaza, from re-establishing its military capabilities in the area. The death toll in Gaza's ongoing military operation has risen, with thousands of Palestinians reportedly killed, according to Gaza's health ministry. The sustained bombardment has inflicted widespread destruction and exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis in the coastal enclave.

The escalation of violence underscores the deep-rooted tensions and unresolved conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians, with both sides suffering casualties and enduring significant losses. International calls for de-escalation and diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire have thus far yielded limited results, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire and facing the devastating consequences of the ongoing hostilities.