Israeli Military Expands Control in Gaza, Kills Two; Residents Flee

Israeli forces have expanded their control in the Gaza Strip, killing at least two Palestinians in the central area and forcing residents in the north to flee their homes. Health officials confirmed the deaths of brothers Ahmed and Mahmoud Abu Heen in an Israeli strike in the Nuseirat refugee camp.

The Israeli military has not yet commented on the incident. The violence occurs as mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye engage in talks with Hamas leaders to implement the second phase of a truce plan brokered by former US President Donald Trump. However, Israel and Hamas remain at an impasse regarding Hamas disarming and Israeli withdrawals.

Israeli troops now control over 60% of Gaza's territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed the military to increase its hold to 70% of the enclave. Witnesses in southern Gaza report Israeli forces expanding the "Yellow Zone" in eastern Khan Younis and northern Rafah. In Gaza City's Al-Tuffah neighborhood, Israeli forces advanced tanks, prompting several families to evacuate.

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I swear we don't know where to go. We are getting our furniture out, we don't know where to go. We don't know where to go, we have nowhere to go.

"I swear we don't know where to go," said Al-Tuffah resident Umm Muhammad Junaynah, struggling to hold back tears as she moved her belongings. "We are getting our furniture out, we don't know where to go. We don't know where to go, we have nowhere to go."

Nearly the entire population of 2 million Gazans, many displaced multiple times, now reside in a small coastal area, often in makeshift tents or damaged buildings. "It was a night of terror, we were scared," said Nour Shabat, 27, recalling Sunday night in Al-Tuffah. "I'm tired of displacement, honestly I'm tired of displacement. What is our fault that this is happening to us?" she added, questioning the ongoing conflict.

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It was a night of terror, we were scared. I'm tired of displacement, honestly I'm tired of displacement. What is our fault that this is happening to us?