Gaza city: The Israeli military has initiated a long-anticipated ground offensive in Gaza City following intense overnight strikes on the city’s key areas.
According to Ghana News Agency, Israeli troops have expanded their operations into Gaza City, a stronghold of the Palestinian militant organization Hamas. The offensive, described as a ‘gradual manoeuvre,’ involves both air and ground forces aimed at dismantling the extensive tunnel network used by Hamas fighters. Israel estimates that approximately 3,000 combat-ready Hamas members are present in the city.
The Israeli military has been operating on the outskirts of Gaza City for weeks and began advancing towards the city center on Monday evening. Two divisions, comprising both regular and reserve troops, are currently engaged in this complex operation, expected to encounter numerous challenges. Each division typically consists of 10,000-15,000 soldiers.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the campaign as an ‘intensive operation’ during a court appearance for his ongoing corruption trial. Overnight, Israeli warplanes, supported by artillery fire, conducted near-continuous strikes, as reported by the Palestinian news agency WAFA. Defence Minister Israel Katz declared on Telegram that Israel would persist in its mission until completion.
The Israeli Security Cabinet had approved the takeover of Gaza City in August. The military anticipates the ground offensive could continue for several months before securing the primary areas of the city. Further efforts will be needed to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure within Gaza City, located in the northern Gaza Strip. The city is reportedly interlaced with an extensive network of tunnels connecting command centers, rocket launchers, and weapon depots, all concealed beneath civilian areas.
Effie Defrin, a military spokesman, reiterated calls for civilians to evacuate while emphasizing ongoing humanitarian aid in northern Gaza. Despite these calls, hundreds of thousands of people remain in Gaza City. The military has urged the city’s estimated 1 million residents to relocate to ‘humanitarian zones’ further south, citing significant risk in the combat zone.
Around 40% of Gaza City’s civilian population, or over 350,000 people, have reportedly evacuated. Israel claims to have plans for humanitarian support, ensuring the provision of food, water, medicine, and shelter in designated zones. Meanwhile, international aid organizations continue to warn of a worsening humanitarian crisis in the area, home to roughly 2 million people.
The conflict was sparked by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in around 1,200 deaths and over 250 abductions. Israel reports that 48 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive. The Hamas-run health authority in Gaza claims that over 64,800 Palestinians have died since the conflict began, although these figures do not differentiate between civilians and fighters.
A UN Human Rights Council commission has accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians, identifying acts such as killing and causing serious harm since October 7, 2023. However, Israel contends that its operations target Hamas and not civilians. Israel, like the United States during President Donald Trump’s tenure, does not recognize the UN Human Rights Council, accusing it of bias. The council comprises 47 countries elected for three-year terms by the UN General Assembly.