The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have announced a temporary ceasefire in certain areas in the northern sector of Gaza. This announcement was made by IDF spokesperson Avichay Adrai, according to reports from RIA Novosti.
During this ceasefire, calm will be restored in the Ash-Shujayya and Al-Turkaman neighborhoods. Adrai urged local residents to evacuate to the south of the enclave by 4:00 PM local time (5:00 PM Moscow time).
In addition, the IDF called on residents of the Tal al-Hawa, As-Sabra, Az-Zaytun al-Garbi, Ad-Daraj al-Tuffah, Ash-Shujayya, and Jabalia areas in northern Gaza to urgently move southwards via the Salah ad-Din road.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated after thousands of Hamas militants infiltrated Israeli territory from the Gaza sector on October 7, when Hamas announced the start of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was in a state of war.
The goal of Israel’s counter-operation, named “Iron Swords,” was to repel the attack, free over 200 hostages, including foreigners, and destroy Hamas. To achieve this objective, Israel launched intensive missile strikes on the Gaza sector from the first day of the operation. The Israeli National Security Council also decided to halt the supply of water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel to the sector. Humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza only resumed through the Rafah checkpoint after October 20, although the volume of aid is considered insufficient.
On October 27, Israel announced an “expansion” of its ground operation in Gaza. The exact start date of this operation remains unknown, but in anticipation, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians evacuated their homes and sought shelter in the southern part of the enclave. As of November 5, clashes are still ongoing in the center of Gaza, as IDF forces have surrounded the city and cut off its supply routes.
Previously, the IDF carried out an airstrike on the residence of the Hamas political bureau chief.
