Generals' plan The blueprint behind the IDF offensive in northern Gaza

Hospitals shelled, shelters set alight, men and boys separated from their families and taken away in military vehicles: a year into the Israel-Hamas war, civilians clinging on in northern Gaza say the situation is worse than it has ever been.

- Bethan McKernan

About 400,000 people have remained in Gaza City and the surrounding towns since Israel cut the area off from the rest of the territory and issued evacuation orders. Some are unwilling to leave home, afraid they will never be allowed to return; others decided to stay put for the sake of elderly or disabled family members. Civilians have reported that the routes to the south are unsafe, citing sniper fire and detention by Israeli forces.

Many believe Israel is trying to finish the job with an aerial and ground offensive that has killed at least 800 people since it began on 6 October. Tightening the siege and cutting off aid in order to force the remaining population to flee is outlined in a proposal known as the "generals' plan" presented to the Israeli government last month.

Emergency workers have paused operations in northern Gaza after crews were injured in airstrikes or detained by the military and their last fire engine destroyed by tank shelling, while the three hospitals in the area say medical equipment is in such short supply they are having to decide which patients they can help, and which they let die. A near-total blockade on aid deliveries means food and water are running dangerously low.