On Monday, the Israeli military began a ground offensive to capture Gaza City, the largest urban center in the enclave, according to Axios citing Israeli officials.
The military did not immediately comment on the operation, which follows weeks of heavy Israeli bombardments on the city.
Last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the military to seize Gaza City, labeling it a Hamas stronghold responsible for the October 2023 surprise attack on Israel.
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The military’s siege of the Gaza Strip has led to a humanitarian crisis marked by massive destruction, widespread displacement, and acute shortages of food and water.
For weeks, Israeli forces have been advancing on the outskirts of Gaza City, nearing the center where around 1 million Palestinians were seeking shelter last month.
“Gaza is engulfed in flames,” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated early Tuesday on X. “The IDF is striking terrorist infrastructure with force, and IDF soldiers are bravely working to secure the hostages’ release and defeat Hamas.”
Katz’s comments were not immediately confirmed as relating to the ground operation.
In October 2023, Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking approximately 251 hostages, according to Israeli records. Authorities report that 20 out of the 48 remaining hostages in Gaza are alive.
Israel’s military response to Hamas has resulted in over 64,000 Palestinian deaths, per Gaza’s health ministry, with a global hunger monitor noting parts of the enclave are experiencing famine. Israel currently controls about 75% of Gaza.
Last week, Israel expanded its military operations with an airstrike against Hamas leaders in Qatar, extending its reach across the Middle East.
