Reports from residents in northern Gaza indicate that Palestinians evacuating their homes amid Israel's renewed military operation are facing gunfire as they attempt to escape the violence. Mohammad Sultan, a 28-year-old resident of Jabalya, described the harrowing experience of fleeing his house due to the intense bombardments in the area. When Sultan returned to retrieve essential supplies, he witnessed civilians being fired upon, resulting in casualties.
Sultan recounted the distressing scene at the Abu Sharkh roundabout in Jabalya, where drones were targeting individuals attempting to evacuate. He witnessed three people being shot, including a young girl who sustained a neck injury. Despite his efforts to assist the injured, the situation remained perilous as bullets continued to fly.
Footage captured by Sultan during the evacuation shows a chaotic scene of residents navigating through rubble-strewn streets, with some on foot carrying heavy bags while others opt for bicycles or tuk-tuks. The sound of drones overhead and gunfire in the background underscores the danger faced by those fleeing the conflict zone.
Efforts to seek a response from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) regarding the reported shootings have been made, but as of now, there has been no official comment on the matter. The escalating violence in Gaza has led to a humanitarian crisis, with civilians caught in the crossfire bearing the brunt of the conflict.
