'Upsurge' in fighting in northern Gaza weeks after Israeli forces began withdrawing An upsurge in fighting was reported on Tuesday in northern Gaza, an area Israeli forces began withdrawing from around the start of the new year. Amid an 'onslaught' that recalled the first phase of Israel's ground invasion, Palestinian civilians who planned to return to their homes in north Gaza said they are thankful they did not. FRANCE 24's Irris Makler reports.