The Israeli army classifies the city of Gaza as a "combat zone" and excludes it from any ceasefire
The Israeli army announced today, Friday, the classification of the city of Gaza as a "dangerous combat zone," excluding it from any temporary ceasefire operations, amid ongoing shelling across the sector.
In a statement issued by the army, it was stated: "Based on the assessment of the situation and directives from the political level, it has been decided that starting today, the local tactical and temporary ceasefire does not include the city of Gaza, which will be considered a dangerous combat zone."
Nevertheless, the statement added that its forces "will continue to support humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip alongside continuing ground maneuvers and offensive activities."
On the ground, Al-Arabiya channel revealed from a field source that Israeli military vehicles advanced towards the entrances of the Al-Saftawi neighborhood in the northern sector, under heavy artillery and air cover. This neighborhood is considered the last residential area controlled by the army in northern Gaza.
The source indicated that the Al-Saftawi and Jabalia neighborhoods were subjected to intense artillery shelling, coinciding with the advance of Israeli tanks in those areas.
This escalation comes days after Israeli forces surrounded the city of Gaza, where they demolished dozens of homes and buildings in multiple neighborhoods. The shelling did not stop in the northern sector, but also extended to central and southern Gaza.
Destruction has spread across most areas of the besieged sector since October 7, 2023. The United Nations estimated that the vast majority of the population of the Gaza Strip, which exceeds two million people, "have been forced to displace at least once during nearly two years of war, fleeing from shelling and death."
It is noteworthy that this military announcement comes about two weeks after the Israeli government approved a plan to occupy the entire city, amid internal disagreements and with military leaders. International criticisms and warnings have escalated that the exacerbation of this plan "is a tragedy for Gazans who find no safe centers or even enough food."
