Israeli troops expand 'security zone' in northern Gaza - after announcing plans to seize areas of south

Israel's expansions come after more than 100 people in Gaza were killed by Israeli airstrikes on Thursday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Friday 4 April 2025 14:06, UK

The IDF has released a video which, it says, shows its latest operations in the Gaza Strip. Pic: Israeli Defence Forces/AP
Image: The IDF has released a video which, it says, shows its latest operations in the Gaza Strip. Pic: Israeli Defence Forces/AP
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Israeli troops have moved into an area of northern Gaza to expand what they refer to as a "security zone" around the enclave, the military said today.

It comes days after Israel announced plans to seize large areas with an operation in the south.

Israeli forces issued evacuation warnings for Shejaia, a suburb on the edge of the enclave, on Thursday.

Civilians are now being let out of the area via organised routes, the military said in its statement.

Hundreds of residents have streamed out, with some on foot carrying their belongings while others are in vans, on donkey carts and bikes.

It comes after Israeli forces moved to seize the southern edge of Gaza, consolidating around the ruins of the city of Rafah.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes this week in one of the biggest mass exoduses of the war.

Pic: Israeli Defence Forces/AP
Image: Pic: Israeli Defence Forces/AP
The Israeli military has said it is letting people out of the area. Pic: Reuters
Image: The Israeli military has said it is letting people out of the area. Pic: Reuters

Israel has not fully explained its long-term aim for the areas it is seizing, but Gaza residents say they believe the goal is to permanently depopulate swathes of the land.

Palestinians say Israel's overall aim is to permanently displace Gaza's population, in line with Donald Trump's plan to turn the region into a resort under US control.

Israeli airstrikes on Thursday killed more than 100 people, including at least 27 sheltering in a school, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

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What happened to the ceasefire?

A young girl who was injured in an Israeli airstrike on Thursday. Pic: AP
Image: A young girl who was injured in an Israeli airstrike on Thursday. Pic: AP
The aftermath at the Dar Al-Arqam school after it was hit by an Israeli strike. Pic: Reuters
Image: The aftermath at the Dar Al-Arqam school after it was hit by an Israeli strike. Pic: Reuters

The Israeli military said the school building had been used as a command centre by Hamas militants. Hamas denies that it operates among civilians.

The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) resumed operations and airstrikes in Gaza on 18 March, bringing Israel's fragile two-month truce with Hamas to an end.

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Why are Israeli forces still in Gaza?

Israeli ministers have said the operations will continue until the 59 hostages still in Gaza are returned.

Hamas has said it will only free the captives under a deal that brings a permanent end to the war.

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