ICJP statement on latest Israeli ground offensive in northern Gaza – ‘yet another chapter straight out of the Israeli playbook of genocide’
11th October 2024– Israeli forces have launched a new offensive in northern Gaza as the year-long genocide against Palestinians continues. The ground offensive in northern Gaza has targeted refugee camps and schools, and has included the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians and the intentional blocking of aid including medical and food supplies.
As part of the offensive, Israeli forces have ordered the forced evacuation of Palestinian civilians in Jabalia and nearby Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia. As has often been seen in the last year, Israel’s operations are focused on a refugee camp. The last assault on Jabalia refugee camp in May displaced thousands and killed hundreds of Palestinians.
Civilians, who have been displaced time and time again over the last 12 months, have been forced to flee yet again. The tactic of continual displacement is embodied by Sabreen Lushan’s family. In an interview with Al Jazeera, she spoke about how her family had been displaced fourteen times in the last twelve months.
By their own admission, Israel said that the attack would include ‘systematic strikes’ and ‘radical destruction’. One of the strikes hit a school, killing at least 28 Palestinians and wounding 54. Hospitals are struggling to treat the wounded, due in part to Israeli destruction of major roads such as Salah ad-din, which have prevented the movement of ambulances and aid.
The World Food Programme reported this week that it had been forced to suspend the distribution of food parcels across the entirety of Gaza, and has had to stop all food distribution in the north, due to Israel’s blocking of humanitarian aid.
Of those targeted, Al-Aqsa TV photojournalist Mohammad Al-Tanani was killed and reporter Tamer Lubbad was injured in the Abu Sharakh roundabout area of Jabalia. An Al Jazeera team was also shot at, with photojournalist Fadi Al-Wahidi being shot in the neck during coverage.
Whilst Western media attention moves to the question of a widespread regional conflict, the latest onslaught on northern Gaza shows that the genocide against Palestinians is continuing silently. The tactics and strategies that Israel have implemented during the last year of its conducting of genocide have been demonstrated once again over the course of this week. Refugee camps, schools, civilians, journalists, and key civilian infrastructure have been targeted, and aid has been intentionally restricted, which exacerbates the ongoing risk of famine.
Perpetual displacement of the population also further exacerbates poor health conditions, poor hygiene and inability to distribute aid effectively, leading to further illness and death through the spread of diseases. This latest offensive has served as a microcosm of the last year of Israel’s assault on Gaza, and in truth this is yet another chapter straight out of the Israeli playbook of genocide.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The ICJP is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
- For more information, photographs of the event, or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact: press@icjpalestine.com.