Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing parts of Gaza City after the Israeli military launched the first phase of a planned ground offensive, according to local officials. The move comes after days of intense bombing and artillery fire, pushing families from neighborhoods such as Zeitoun and Sabra to seek safety.
The escalation has drawn renewed international appeals for a ceasefire, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres warning that an assault would cause “inevitable death and destruction.”
- Troop positions: Israeli forces have established a foothold on Gaza City’s outskirts.
- Neighborhoods affected: Zeitoun, Sabra, and Jabalia.
- Military approval: Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the operation, which is awaiting security cabinet review.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel is “shortening the timelines” to capture what he called the “last terror strongholds” in Gaza.
Residents described the situation as relentless bombardment:
- Ahmad al-Shanti told AFP: “The house shakes with us all night long — explosions, artillery, warplanes, ambulances, and cries for help… the sound is getting closer, but where would we go?”
- Amal Abdel-Aal, displaced from Sabra, said: “No one in Gaza has slept for days. The sky flashes all night long with airstrikes and artillery fire.”
The psychological toll on residents remains high, as families struggle to find safe routes out of the city.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are expected to be ordered to evacuate Gaza City and head south, worsening the already dire humanitarian crisis. Aid agencies have warned of:
- Overcrowding in southern Gaza.
- Severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
- Increased risk to civilians unable to flee due to age, disability, or lack of transport.
Hamas condemned the offensive, accusing Netanyahu of waging a “brutal war against innocent civilians” and rejecting regional ceasefire proposals. Israel has yet to formally respond to the latest peace plan.
Military Build-Up
Israel is preparing for a large-scale assault, with:
- 60,000 reservists called up to free active-duty personnel.
- Expanded troop operations in Gaza City’s eastern districts.
- Artillery and air support pounding suspected Hamas positions.
The beginning of Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza City marks a dangerous new phase in the conflict. With Palestinians fleeing in large numbers, growing international pressure for a ceasefire, and Netanyahu vowing to press ahead, the coming weeks will be critical in shaping both the military and humanitarian outcomes of the war.
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