IDF general: Palestinians will not be allowed to return to north Gaza strip [View all]
In a media briefing on Tuesday night, the IDF Brig Gen Itzik Cohen told Israeli reporters that since troops had been forced to enter some areas twice, such as Jabaliya camp, there is no intention of allowing the residents of the northern Gaza Strip to return to their homes.
He added that humanitarian aid would be allowed to regularly enter the south of the territory but not the north, since there are no more civilians left.
On Thursday, an IDF spokesperson said Brig Gen Cohens comments had been taken out of context during a discussion about Jabaliya, and did not reflect the IDFs objectives and values. The spokesperson also said that the briefing had been on background, and the brigadier general should not have been quoted in Hebrew media reports that emerged.
It is unclear how many people remain in northern Gaza; last month, the UN estimated there were about 400,000 civilians unable or unwilling to follow Israeli evacuation orders. On Wednesday social media footage showed waves of several dozen displaced people carrying children and rucksacks and walking south through flattened areas of Gaza City.
Much more @ link:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/06/palestinians-will-not-be-allowed-to-return-to-homes-in-northern-gaza-says-idf