Israeli forces have stepped up their assault on Gaza City with a wave of heavy air strikes, marking a sharp escalation from previous military operations. Unlike earlier phases of the war, the current offensive has relied heavily on aerial bombardments, with entire apartment blocks and large concrete structures reduced to rubble.
The intensification of strikes in recent days has triggered a surge in civilian displacement. Israel has warned all residents of Gaza City to leave immediately in anticipation of a huge ground offensive.
On Sunday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said about 250,000 people had left the city and moved south, having destroyed a high-rise building that it said had been used for planning terrorist attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the city is Hamas's last major stronghold, a position that has drawn international criticism.
With a famine already declared in the area, the UN has warned that the offensive could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. Residents report that military actions have targeted schools and makeshift shelters, often with minimal warning.
Many families have fled in darkness toward western Gaza, with one mother, Saly Tafeesh, claiming, We escaped certain death, my husband, our three children and I. My brother died in my arms after being shot by a quadcopter drone. We ran in the dark to the west of Gaza.
Despite the Israeli military's orders to evacuate south, many families find the costs prohibitive, with trips costing around $1,100 (£800). Hamas's leadership has encouraged residents to remain in the city, intensifying calls for resistance.
Israeli forces have yet to reach some eastern neighborhoods that remained largely intact since previous military actions, but the latest offensive indicates a potential strategy to dismantle entire districts in Gaza.
In the shadow of these events, a Qatari foreign ministry spokesman criticized the Israeli leadership, saying they must collectively address the growing humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict. The Israeli assault escalated following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that left many casualties and hostages.
Since that attack, Israeli air strikes have resulted in significant casualties in Gaza, with reports indicating over 64,803 deaths from military actions since the escalation began.
The intensification of strikes in recent days has triggered a surge in civilian displacement. Israel has warned all residents of Gaza City to leave immediately in anticipation of a huge ground offensive.
On Sunday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said about 250,000 people had left the city and moved south, having destroyed a high-rise building that it said had been used for planning terrorist attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the city is Hamas's last major stronghold, a position that has drawn international criticism.
With a famine already declared in the area, the UN has warned that the offensive could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. Residents report that military actions have targeted schools and makeshift shelters, often with minimal warning.
Many families have fled in darkness toward western Gaza, with one mother, Saly Tafeesh, claiming, We escaped certain death, my husband, our three children and I. My brother died in my arms after being shot by a quadcopter drone. We ran in the dark to the west of Gaza.
Despite the Israeli military's orders to evacuate south, many families find the costs prohibitive, with trips costing around $1,100 (£800). Hamas's leadership has encouraged residents to remain in the city, intensifying calls for resistance.
Israeli forces have yet to reach some eastern neighborhoods that remained largely intact since previous military actions, but the latest offensive indicates a potential strategy to dismantle entire districts in Gaza.
In the shadow of these events, a Qatari foreign ministry spokesman criticized the Israeli leadership, saying they must collectively address the growing humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict. The Israeli assault escalated following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that left many casualties and hostages.
Since that attack, Israeli air strikes have resulted in significant casualties in Gaza, with reports indicating over 64,803 deaths from military actions since the escalation began.
