The Israeli army said on Friday that the renewed fighting in Jabalia, a northern town in Gaza, was “perhaps the fiercest” in over seven months of conflict.
In early January, the army had announced that it had “completed the dismantling of Hamas’ military framework in the northern Gaza Strip” and intended to shift its focus to central and southern areas of the Palestinian territory.
However, intense clashes resumed in Jabalia less than a week ago. Jabalia houses the largest refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, with a population of over 100,000 people.
“Hamas was in complete control here in Jabalia until we arrived a few days ago,” the Israeli army told the media on Friday, noting a significant shift since its spokesman, Daniel Hagari, stated four months ago that resistance fighters were only operating sporadically and “without commanders” in the area.
The current fighting in Jabalia is described by the army as “perhaps the fiercest we have encountered” in this region since the onset of the offensive in the Gaza Strip, and they are now actively operating in the town’s refugee camp.
On the the other hand, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that he will reveal the date when Madrid will recognize a Palestinian state, in coordination with several EU partners, on Wednesday.
“We are in the process of coordinating with other countries to make a joint declaration,” Sanchez stated during an interview with the private Spanish television station La Sexta on Friday. This was in response to a question about whether this step would be taken on Tuesday, as previously mentioned by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
“I believe that on the 22nd of May, I will be able to inform parliament of the date on which Spain will recognize the Palestinian state,” he added.
In March, Sanchez had indicated that Spain, along with Ireland, Slovenia, and Malta, had agreed to take initial steps towards recognizing a Palestinian state alongside Israel, viewing a two-state solution as crucial for achieving lasting peace.
