Reports emerging from the Gaza Strip indicate that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have initiated a ground operation in Gaza City. Israeli media outlets are reporting the movement of tanks into the city’s central areas, following a period of intense aerial bombardment.
Tens of thousands of Gazan civilians have evacuated Gaza City in recent days, seeking refuge elsewhere within the Gaza Strip. The IDF estimates that over 350,000 Palestinians have already fled the city. Residents have been directed by Israeli authorities to relocate to designated “humanitarian zones” in the southern Gaza Strip. These zones are currently experiencing severe overcrowding due to the influx of displaced people.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Katz issued a statement indicating a forceful approach to dismantling what he described as “terrorist infrastructure” within the Gaza Strip. Katz asserted Israel’s determination to continue operations “until the mission is complete.
The planned ground offensive had previously drawn significant international concern and criticism. The situation remains fluid and the scale of the operation and its impact on civilian populations are yet to be fully assessed.