JERUSALEM — Israel’s military has launched a new, large-scale ground offensive in Gaza City, vowing to take control of the city as thousands of Palestinians flee in a renewed wave of displacement. The operation, which began this week with heavy airstrikes and a ground advance, comes as international bodies warn of a catastrophic humanitarian situation, with experts stating that Gaza City is facing a confirmed famine.
The Offensive and Its Goals
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the start of the operation, with troops and tanks moving into the outskirts of Gaza City, a major urban center that has already seen extensive destruction from nearly two years of conflict. Israeli officials state the primary goals of the offensive are to dismantle Hamas’ military infrastructure and secure the release of remaining hostages. The military believes 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas militants are still present in the city.
The ground advance is being supported by coordinated air and sea bombardment, which residents describe as “relentless.” According to the Gaza Health Ministry, dozens of Palestinians have been killed in the initial strikes. Hospitals in the city, already overwhelmed, are receiving a constant influx of dead and wounded, including many women and children.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The new assault has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation. The UN and other aid agencies report that hundreds of thousands of people remain in Gaza City, despite Israeli evacuation orders. Many are unable or unwilling to leave, citing the lack of safe zones, high costs of transport, and the dangerous conditions in the southern areas to which they are told to flee.
- Mass Displacement: In the last month alone, over a quarter of a million people have been displaced from Gaza City, with tens of thousands fleeing in the last 72 hours. Coastal roads are choked with families attempting to reach safer areas, carrying their belongings.
- Famine and Shortages: The UN warns that the humanitarian situation in northern Gaza, including Gaza City, is “morally, politically and legally intolerable.” Food and fuel supplies are critically low, and aid access has been severely restricted. The closing of the only crossing into northern Gaza has left hundreds of thousands of people without a direct entry point for aid.
- Health System Collapse: Gaza’s health system is described as being on the brink of collapse. Hospitals in Gaza City are operating at nearly 300% capacity and are at risk of being directly targeted by strikes. The lack of medical supplies and fuel has crippled ambulance services and hospital operations.
International Reactions
The offensive has drawn international condemnation. A UN human rights commission published a report this week accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, a charge Israel has rejected as “distorted and false.” The UN Secretary-General has stated that it is clear Israel has “no interest in a peaceful outcome.” The U.S. has expressed concerns, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledging the offensive but stating that a “negotiated settlement” is the preferred outcome. Meanwhile, families of the remaining Israeli hostages have protested in Jerusalem, accusing the Israeli government of abandoning their loved ones.
