Local residents and eyewitnesses report that dozens of Israeli tanks and military vehicles have entered a major residential district of Gaza City, marking the second day of Israel's ground offensive aimed at occupying this area.
Video footage shows tanks, bulldozers, and armored personnel carriers moving on the outskirts of Sheikh Radwan, in northern Gaza City, accompanied by thick clouds of smoke as Israeli forces fire artillery shells and smoke bombs to cover their advance.
The Sheikh Radwan district, previously home to tens of thousands of people, is one of the city’s most densely populated areas. Israel claims the objective of its offensive is to rescue hostages held by Hamas and to neutralize an estimated 3,000 fighters, whom they label as the group’s last stronghold. However, this operation has received widespread international condemnation due to its devastating impact on civilians.
Leaders of over 20 major aid organizations, including Save the Children and Oxfam, have condemned the situation, calling it unconscionable. Residents report a wave of heavy airstrikes that preceded the ground assault, targeting vital structures in the neighborhood.
Saad Hamada, a local resident, described the sheer destruction inflicted on their community: The drones didn’t leave anything. They hit solar panels, power generators, water tanks, even the internet network. Life became impossible, and that is what forced most people to leave despite the danger.
The ongoing incursion has triggered yet another wave of displacement, causing thousands of families to flee south. Long lines of vehicles attempting to escape the violence have filled the roads, making travel arduous and costly amidst the already dire economic conditions.
Sheikh Radwan, which includes areas like Abu Iskandar and al-Tawam, serves as a critical connection between central Gaza and its northern districts. Locals are increasingly anxious that Israeli control of this neighborhood might facilitate further advancements into the city.
Witnesses have expressed panic at the sight of tanks roaming the streets in a neighborhood that has already endured significant destruction due to previous military operations. Many families are left with no choice but to evacuate under the threat of violence.
The humanitarian implications of this military escalation are dire, with aid groups pointing out that overcrowded areas expected to house those fleeing are woefully inadequate. Many who attempted to seek refuge in these designated zones found them unavailable and instead returned to areas of conflict.
As the conflict continues, the UN has reported that over 65,000 people have fallen victim to the ongoing violence, with significant casualties including women and children. The international community, echoed by humanitarian organizations, fears that the situation will only worsen, plunging the region into deeper chaos.
