The Israeli army launched a ground offensive in Gaza City on Tuesday, slowly advancing into the largest city in the Palestinian territory, in which entire blocks of buildings have already been demolished during the war between Israel and Hamas - the group declared a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.
The offensive marks another escalation in the conflict that has rocked the Middle East for nearly two years and could further dampen hopes for a ceasefire. The Israeli military did not give a timeframe for the offensive, which it said aims to “destroy Hamas’s military infrastructure,” but Israeli media reported it could last months.
It began in the days when independent experts from the UN Human Rights Council accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Israel rejected the accusation, calling the experts' report "distorted and false."
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that "Gaza is burning" as the operation began, while heavy bombardment hit the city overnight and this morning.
Long columns of cars and trucks filled with mattresses and other items were seen along Gaza's coastal road as people fled the city. Some climbed into the overcrowded vehicles, while others walked.
On a brief visit to the region, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that there is "very little time left to reach any agreement" to end the war.
An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity in accordance with military regulations, said the “main phase” of the operation in Gaza City had begun. Israeli troops were entering the city center from the outskirts, he said.
Previously, the Israeli army bombed this city all night, bringing down tall buildings.
According to him, the Israeli military believes that around 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas militants remain in Gaza City, as well as tunnels used by the group.
Hamas's military capabilities have been significantly weakened during nearly two years of war, and today the group mainly carries out guerrilla-style attacks, with small groups of fighters planting explosives or attacking military points.
It is estimated that around 1 million Palestinians lived in the Gaza City region before the evacuation warning was issued, while the Israeli military says around 350,000 residents have already left.
The UN said on Monday that over 220,000 Palestinians have been displaced from northern Gaza over the past month.
By midday, Shifa Hospital had received the bodies of 34 people killed in the bombing, said Rami Mhanna, a hospital official. Dozens of wounded people had also been brought there.
"A very difficult night in Gaza," Mohamed Abu Selmiya, the hospital's director, told the Associated Press.
"The bombings did not stop for a moment," he added.
The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants crossed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing an estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping 251 others. 48 hostages are still being held in Gaza, and Israel believes 20 of them are alive.
Israel's war of revenge has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not separate the number of civilians from that of combatants. The offensive has displaced most of Gaza's 2 million residents, caused massive destruction and widespread hunger. REL
