GAZA, April 4, 2025 (WAFA) – The Israeli occupation military expanded its ground offensive in northern Gaza on Friday morning, advancing into the Shujaiyya neighborhood east of Gaza City, as the ongoing genocidal onslaught on the region continues for the 18th month.

Local sources reported that Israeli forces have begun to push  into Shujaiyya, a densely populated neighborhood of Gaza City, while conducting heavy airstrikes and fire belts targeting civilian areas and forcing residents to flee.

Since the start of the war in October 2023, the Israeli military has been systematically forcing people out of their homes in the areas of incursion. This is achieved by issuing evacuation orders, followed by massive carpet bombings around targeted areas to pressure inhabitants to leave, sending them into uncertain and unsafe conditions.

On Thursday, the Israeli military demanded people in several neighborhoods of eastern Gaza City, including Shujaiyya, Al-Turkman, and Eastern Zeitoun, to leave their homes ahead of further attacks. The residents were told to abandon their properties before they could be hit.

Furthermore, the relentless Israeli airstrikes have left no safe space for Gaza's population. The latest attack, carried out on Thursday, resulted in a deadly assault on Dar Al-Arqam School in eastern Gaza City, which was sheltering displaced families. The bombing killed 31 people and wounded approximately 100 others, including children, women, and elderly individuals.

Since the beginning of the week, Israeli forces have also intensified their attacks in southern Gaza, particularly in the city of Rafah, which has seen significant military incursions.

The humanitarian situation continues to worsen, with the closure of Gaza's border crossings by Israeli authorities since March 2, 2025, halting the entry of much-needed humanitarian aid. Additionally, all bakeries reliant on World Food Programme hve also ceased functioning due to the Israeli blockade.

M.N