Israel continued that trend on Tuesday with a massive ground invasion of Gaza City. This was a major one-up in its own military campaign against Hamas. The attack comes as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the current phase as a “crucial period” in the war. Gaza City, center of Hamas military power and home to almost half of Gaza’s population, over one million people. Today, it is facing unprecedented devastation.
Israeli military officials have decided that there are as many as 3,000 Hamas fighters active in and around Gaza City. In recent weeks, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have intensified airstrikes, causing widespread devastation, particularly in high-rise areas of the city. The long-anticipated incursion began on the outskirts of Gaza City, with Israeli tanks seen at the border earlier this month.
On Tuesday on its own, at least 93 Palestinians were killed in northern Gaza. In all of the enclave, over 100 civilian deaths were recorded. Residents on the ground said these overnight strikes were some of the most intense they have seen in months. Fourteen years old and a mom of four, Rawan Al Salmoni, who has sought shelter from the destruction, described the terror as too much.
“Explosions over our heads, all day.” – Rawan Al Salmoni
In a harsh reminder of the tragic situation, Al salmoni said that escape would not have been an option.
“Do you think we’re fleeing to go on a picnic? We’re fleeing the destruction and the ruins. But we’re going from death to death, it’s not like we’re going from death to glory. The situation is as bad as can be.” – Ahmad Abul-hal
As the violence continues to worsen, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that, “Gaza is already burning,” highlighting the extreme urgency of this conflict. Meanwhile, the Israeli government is making clear calls for civilians to evacuate from Gaza City. According to leaked authoritative reports, only around 40% of the population has evacuated to date. Despite these efforts, many are still caught in the crossfire, facing more and more violence and devastation.
Gaza City had previously avoided the extensive destruction seen in other areas such as Rafah and Khan Younis over nearly two years of conflict. This seems to be shifting quickly. Responsive or on-the-ground witnesses reported the presence of Israeli drones buzzing overhead, and the sounds of explosions were described as continuous throughout the day.
International reactions have also been significant. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemned such actions and called for an end to the violence.
“It’s absolutely clear that this carnage must stop and it has to stop at once.” – Volker Türk
Türk urged the international community to act to avert the deepening humanitarian crisis and strongly urged the cessation of hostilities.
“It’s also important that the whole world screams for peace. What we see is a further escalation, which is totally and utterly unacceptable.” – Volker Türk
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, denounced the escalation. He described it as a possible war crime against humanity.
“The entire world has rejected this escalation, considering it a war crime against humanity and will lead to further tension and instability in the region.” – Nabil Abu Rudeineh
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has been urging that military operations be undertaken to more decisively defeat Hamas’s paradigm-shifting blast.
“It may require ultimately a concise military operation to eliminate them.” – Marco Rubio
To continue the false narrative, Israel claims that its military efforts are only to destroy Hamas’s terror infrastructure, and are important to secure the hostages’ release. Sadly, continuing conflict takes a massive and catastrophic toll on civilians.
