Israeli forces encircle Jabalia, issue evacuation orders for northern Gaza

The Israeli army has issued new evacuation orders for almost the entirety of northern Gaza, as its forces launched deadly new incursions on Jabalia and Beit Lahia overnight.

In Jabalia, Israeli tanks have encircled the camp, trapping families in their homes and shelters. This followed a night of deadly strikes targeting residential homes, which killed several Palestinians, including journalist Hassan Hamad, according to Wafa news agency.

“The troops of the 401st Brigade and the 460th Brigade have successfully encircled the area and are currently continuing to operate in the area,” the Israeli military said in a statement.

It added that the new incursion is aimed at targeting "terrorists and terror infrastructure", though no evidence was presented for these claims.

The Israeli army has instructed Palestinians in northern Gaza to flee to the already overcrowded al-Mawasi "humanitarian zone".  The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (Cogat) subsequently announced the "expansion" of the zone.