Intense bombings and field executions in Jabalia refugee camp

Israeli forces have intensified the bombing of the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza and carried out field executions over the last week.

"The situation was horrific last week. I could not connect to the world outside or say how we are being killed. The Israeli army stationed its tanks in the Safatawi area; their target was Jabalia refugee camp. They stormed the camp from the Safatawi, Abu Sharakh, and the Nazla areas," Saleh, a 24-year-old eyewitness from Jabalia refugee camp, told Middle East Eye.

He added that 20 homes were destroyed with people still in them.

"Among the houses that were bombed is the house of my cousin, who is still under the rubble along with his family and the displaced families that were seeking refuge in his house. We are unable to retrieve their bodies at the moment due to the lack of heavy machinery needed to dig under the rubble. Our house was also bombed, and we have been digging to retrieve some clothes from under the rubble," he added.

According to Saleh, many people in the north of Gaza have gathered in the al-Nazla area, causing it to become overcrowded.

He also said that the Israeli military carried out on-site executions of civilians who remained in their homes.

"I witnessed the execution of six civilians. After the tanks retreated, we pulled their bodies and buried them immediately. We can't take bodies to hospital due to the intensity of the bombardment and many of them have already decomposed," Saleh added.

Civilians and health officials in Gaza have repeatedly stated that they believe the number of those killed are far higher than what is being published by the Ministry of Health, due to people being trapped under the rubble and a lack of access to healthcare facilities and hospitals. 

Saleh says that after 3pm, no one dares to leave their home due to the threat of being killed, and that no aid is reaching them.

Prices of goods, if they can find them, have skyrocketed, which has caused looting in some areas.

Reporting by Walaa Sabah