The inhabitants of Nuseirat are gripped by fear as Israeli forces have initiated a new military campaign in the refugee camp on the auspicious occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, starting on April 11. This incursion has raised apprehensions that Nuseirat might face a similar fate to Khan Yunis, Al-Bureij, Al-Maghazi, and the northern Gaza Strip, which bore the brunt of previous Israeli offensives.
“There is widespread terror among the residents that Nuseirat will be leveled to the ground, mirroring the devastation witnessed in other regions,” expressed a resident anxiously.
Israeli military vehicles advanced during this operation, strategically positioning themselves on the northern outskirts of the camp, near the entrance of Zahraa City and the connecting point between Nuseirat and Maghazi.
In the early afternoon, the Israeli forces launched their attack, subjecting the camp to continuous bombardment from aircraft, artillery, and naval vessels. This relentless assault led to casualties and forced a significant number of residents to flee from the northern sectors of the camp.
“I yearn for a peaceful end at home,” shared a man from Gaza, encapsulating the traumatic experiences of those affected by this operation and reflecting on his own anguish of enduring torment both in life and in death.
The intense shelling persisted for over 15 hours without respite, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries. Amidst the chaos, two camp residents bravely recounted their harrowing ordeals to The Palestine Chronicle, shedding light on the horrors faced by the people of Nuseirat.
While the world remains silent, the destiny of Nuseirat hangs in the balance, with residents dreading the worst while hoping for a cessation of the relentless onslaught. This operation serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for measures to safeguard the vulnerable civilians trapped in this conflict.
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“The merciless occupation forces displayed no compassion as their artillery shells struck the entrance of a UNRWA school on the outskirts of Nuseirat, claiming the lives of three displaced Palestinians,” recounted Moataz Nasar to The Palestine Chronicle, his voice laden with sorrow.
“That school had provided refuge for thousands during this brutal conflict, but now it stands damaged and deserted, compelling families once again to flee for safety,” he described, painting a grim picture of the situation.
In their relentless onslaught, Israeli forces completely razed an apartment in the Salahieh residential tower, leading to the tragic demise of a UNRWA employee and their family—a poignant reminder of the human toll of this conflict.
Even places of worship were not spared from the assault, with airstrikes and shelling targeting the mosques of Ma’ath bin Jabal and Thul-Noorayn, instilling panic and dread among residents and refugees.
Nasar, with a heavy heart, narrated their efforts to bring a semblance of normalcy and joy to the children: “On the morning of Eid, we organized recreational activities and sang together, attempting to bring smiles to their faces amidst the turmoil.”
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However, even these fleeting moments of happiness were cruelly snatched away, as Nasar poignantly expressed: “The occupation even robbed our children of the small joy they deserved.”
“As we enter the seventh month of this relentless conflict, providing psychological support to our children becomes increasingly challenging as Palestinians are continually displaced and evacuated due to the ceaseless Israeli airstrikes.”
This heart-wrenching narrative underscores the profound impact of the ongoing conflict on the mental well-being of Gaza’s youngest generation.
Nuseirat’s Plight: A Cry to Avert Disaster
Echoing similar sentiments is Abd Abu Hamad, who remarked, “After enduring six grueling months of war, our children were playing among the ruins, on swings set up amidst the destroyed homes, as a celebration marking the end of Ramadan.”
Yet, he mourned how the occupation consistently shattered any glimmer of joy for their children, compelling residents to seek refuge in areas deemed marginally safer.
“The looming threat of Nuseirat facing the same fate as Khan Yunis, Al-Bureij, Al-Maghazi, and northern Gaza haunts everyone. We are witnessing a systematic obliteration of our communities.”
Hamad voiced his enduring hope for intervention: “I fervently urge the international community to take decisive action to prevent any potential invasion of Nuseirat, Deir al-Balah, and Rafah. The stakes have never been higher, with tens of thousands of displaced individuals now seeking shelter in Nuseira; this cycle of violence and genocide must cease.”
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