Gazans forced to flee Jabalia following Israel’s fresh assault on Hamas have told how bodies litter the streets following the harrowing two-week siege.

Refugees evacuated from the camp in northern Gaza said they lived hungry alongside the “smell of corpses” as they were trapped during fighting as Israel battled against militants during a third offensive in the area.

Israel launched the assault on Oct 6, claiming it was was rooting out Hamas terrorists who had regrouped in the area which is home to Gaza’s largest refugee camp.

During intense fighting Israel suffered the loss of its highest-ranking officer to die in ground combat since the war began after the Oct 7 massacre.

Col Ehsan Daxa, 41, from northern Israel, was killed after an explosive detonated as he exited a tank to an observation post.

Gaza’s civil defence agency claimed hundreds have been killed and thousands displaced during the fighting.