Israeli Troops Expand Security Zone in Northern Gaza
Israeli troops have advanced into northern Gaza’s Shejaia to expand a security zone, prompting mass evacuations as an airstrike on a Gaza City school killed at least 27 people. The operation is part of an ongoing escalation following Hamas’ October 2023 attack.
Published on April 4, 2025
Israeli forces have advanced into Shejaia, a suburb in northern Gaza, as part of an operation to enlarge a designated security zone. The move comes amid a broader campaign that resumed on March 18, 2025, after a two-month truce, following intensified operations in southern Gaza. Evacuation warnings have led many residents to flee on foot or use basic transportation, while the long-term objectives of these seized zones remain unclear.
On April 3, 2025, an airstrike on a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza City reportedly killed at least 27 people. The Israeli military claims the site was a Hamas command center—a charge that Hamas denies. This operation is one element in an escalation of conflict that began after Hamas attacked Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, resulting in significant casualties on both sides and leaving 59 hostages in captivity.