Gaza's Shijaiya: A Neighborhood Turned Battleground

In the northern part of Gaza, a once bustling neighborhood now looks like a graveyard of buildings. The Israeli military recently took journalists on a tour of this devastated area, showing off their handiwork. They claim they are targeting Hamas infrastructure, but the result is a neighborhood turned into a wasteland. The military says they are creating a \"terror-free zone\" by flattening areas like Shijaiya. Since January, they have been systematically demolishing neighborhoods in northern Gaza, as well as Rafah and Khan Younis in the south. The goal, they say, is to prevent Hamas from returning and to ensure that no tunnels or weaponry can be hidden beneath the rubble. During the tour, journalists saw no sign of civilians, only Israeli soldiers. One soldier's T-shirt read \"Hamas Hunting Club, \" with a graphic of a boot crushing a militant's skeleton. The message was clear: this is a mission to eliminate Hamas, no matter the cost. The military spokesman, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, explained that they cannot allow rebuilding if there is a risk of Hamas returning. He also mentioned that militants had recently tried to set up new weaponry in the area. The military's actions, they argue, are necessary to ensure the safety of their own people. But at what cost? The destruction of Shijaiya and other neighborhoods has left thousands of people homeless and displaced. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with no end in sight. The military may have achieved their goal of creating a \"terror-free zone, \" but they have also created a zone of despair and suffering.