On November 11, 2024, Israeli forces expanded their offensive in Gaza by sending tanks into the Nuseirat camp area in central Gaza. This new advance intensified the conflict, now in its fourteenth month, between Israel and Hamas. According to Palestinian medical sources, at least 11 Palestinians were killed in Israeli military strikes since Sunday night. Israeli tanks reportedly fired upon entry into the camp, located within one of Gaza's eight historic refugee sites, heightening fear and turmoil among local residents, many of whom had already been displaced.
Residents of the area described a scene of chaos as tanks rolled into the camp, catching people off-guard. Zaik Mohammad, a resident who lives about a kilometer from the targeted zone, recounted how some people could not escape and remained trapped in their homes, desperately seeking permission to evacuate. Others fled hurriedly, taking whatever belongings they could carry. The presence of Israeli forces in both the northern and central parts of Gaza reflects Israel’s current strategy to suppress Hamas and prevent its fighters from regrouping or launching new assaults.
The humanitarian situation remains dire, with tens of thousands of Palestinian residents instructed to leave affected areas, causing widespread concern over whether they will ever be permitted to return. The prospect of a ceasefire, already slim, suffered further setbacks over the weekend when Qatar, acting as a mediator, announced a halt to its peace efforts. Qatar cited the unwillingness of both Israel and Hamas to reach a compromise, a move that has further dashed hopes for an immediate resolution.
Israeli airstrikes overnight and into Monday led to several casualties. Seven individuals were killed in Nuseirat, including those residing in a tent encampment. In Beit Lahiya, a northern town where Israeli forces have been present since October, four people lost their lives in another airstrike. Reports from Kamal Adwan Hospital near Beit Lahiya indicated that an Israeli drone injured three medical staff members within the facility, underscoring the dangers facing healthcare workers on the ground.
While Israel’s military has not commented on Monday’s events, it previously claimed responsibility for a targeted strike on a high-ranking Islamic Jihad commander, Mohammad Abu Skhail. According to Israeli sources, Abu Skhail was killed at a command center located within a compound that had formerly functioned as a school in Gaza City. Palestinian medical authorities reported that the strike also claimed the lives of six others.
The conflict has resulted in a growing death toll in Gaza, with casualties now exceeding 43,500. With ongoing hostilities and diminishing hopes for a truce, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens each day. Displaced residents face uncertain futures, and efforts to mediate a ceasefire appear stalled. As the conflict continues, both sides brace for further violence, while civilians endure the worsening impact of an increasingly protracted war.