GAZA CITY, Palestine

The Israeli army on Wednesday set Palestinian homes on fire in the area west of Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, part of a prolonged ethnic cleansing operation that has persisted for 12 days amid the ongoing genocide since Oct.7, 2023.

Israeli forces advancing into the Be'er al-Na'ja area continued to burn residential buildings belonging to Palestinians, witnesses told Anadolu.

They reported that many homes and properties were engulfed in flames, resulting in substantial material losses, although no injuries were immediately reported.

The witnesses observed thick black smoke rising from the western regions of Jabalia camp due to the ongoing fires, which remained active as of 4:08 p.m. (UTC).

Israeli helicopters were also seen firing at areas in northwestern Gaza, particularly around the Al-Sfawi region north of Gaza City, according to witnesses.

The Israeli army launched a military operation in northern Gaza on Oct. 6 amid a tight siege on the area, claiming that the offensive aims to prevent Hamas from regrouping in the area.

Palestinians dispute the Israeli claim, saying the deadly attack aims to force them to leave the area once and for all.

More than 342 people have been killed since then amid massive destruction across the area, according to Palestinian authorities.

This marks the third ground operation conducted by the Israeli army in Jabalia camp since the onset of the ongoing genocide in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023.

Israel has launched a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following a Hamas attack last year, killing more than 42,400 people, mostly women and children, and injuring over 99,000 others.

The conflict has spread to Lebanon, with Israel launching deadly strikes across the country, which have killed more than 1,500 people and injured over 4,500 others since Sept. 23.

Despite international warnings that the Middle East was on the brink of a regional war amid Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, Tel Aviv expanded the conflict by launching a ground incursion into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio