Israeli forces are pushing deeper into the heart of Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday, declaring a significant intensification of the military campaign against Hamas. The announcement signals a dangerous new phase in the conflict, now in its fourth week.
'We are at the height of the battle,' Netanyahu stated in a televised address. 'We have had impressive successes and have passed the outskirts of Gaza City. We are advancing.' His comments confirm that Israeli troops have moved beyond the periphery and are now engaged in heavy urban combat within the densely populated city itself.
Dire Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
The military escalation coincides with a catastrophic humanitarian situation. The sole power plant in Gaza has run out of fuel, plunging the territory into a near-total blackout and severing most communication links with the outside world. Aid agencies are issuing increasingly desperate warnings about the collapse of basic services and the rapidly dwindling supplies of food, water, and medicine.
Despite mounting international pressure for a ceasefire to allow aid in, Netanyahu firmly rejected any pause in hostilities, asserting that the military operation would continue with 'full force'.
Northern Gaza Becomes Epicentre of Conflict
Gaza City and the northern part of the Strip have become the focal point of the Israeli ground offensive. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have effectively encircled the area, urging civilians to evacuate southwards for their safety. However, many remain trapped, unable or too afraid to move amidst the relentless bombardment.
The IDF reports ongoing, fierce battles with Hamas militants who are operating from a vast network of tunnels and launching attacks from civilian areas. The complexity of urban warfare in one of the most densely populated places on earth presents immense challenges and risks for both combatants and the civilians caught in the crossfire.
International Calls for Restraint Grow Louder
The United Nations and various world leaders have reiterated urgent calls for the protection of civilians and for humanitarian corridors to be established. The death toll in Gaza, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry, has surged past 8,500, a figure that includes a significant number of women and children. These numbers have not been independently verified.
The conflict, triggered by Hamas's deadly cross-border attack on October 7th which killed over 1,400 Israelis, shows no sign of abating. With troops now entrenched within Gaza City, the stage is set for a protracted and devastating battle that the international community fears could spill into a wider regional conflict.
