Gaza's major city declared a war zone by Israel; fatalities surpass 63,000

In early September 2023, the Israeli military initiated an offensive in Gaza City, following the approval of a plan by the security cabinet and the subsequent evacuation of the city's population to the south. The offensive has been ongoing ever since.

The Gaza Health Ministry reports a devastating toll, with over 63,000 Palestinians killed since the war began. The death toll has risen to 63,025 in the last 24 hours, with an additional 59 fatalities. The ministry also reports five deaths from malnutrition-related causes, bringing the total to 322, including 121 children, since the war began.

Zaher al-Wahidi, a spokesperson for Gaza's Health Ministry, warns that a forcible evacuation of Gaza City would be an environmental and health catastrophe. Aid groups and a church sheltering people in Gaza City have refused to abandon the hungry and displaced who depend on them.

Abu Obeida, a spokesperson for Hamas' armed wing, states that their fighters are on high alert and prepared to confront Israeli troops in Gaza City. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argues that crippling Hamas' capabilities in the city is critical to shielding Israel from a repeat of the October 7, 2023, attack, during which Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people and killed around 1200, mostly civilians. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals, but nearly 50 remain in Gaza, including 20 that Israel believes to be alive.

The Israeli army has recovered the remains of two hostages, Ilan Weiss and another unnamed, on Saturday. Israel has declared Gaza's largest city a dangerous combat zone and has launched the "initial stages" of a planned offensive in the city. The military has ramped up strikes in neighbourhoods on the city's outskirts in recent days.

The UN's humanitarian agency warns that forcing hundreds of thousands to move south would be a recipe for further disaster. The world's leading food security authority has declared Gaza City was gripped by famine after months of warnings. The UN also warns that the besieged Gaza strip could lose half of its hospital bed capacity during an expanded assault on Gaza City.

Israel has called Gaza City a Hamas stronghold, alleging that a network of tunnels remains in use by militants. However, Israel's intentions regarding aid to Gaza City during the ongoing offensive remain unclear. An Israeli military official states that Israel intends to continue facilitating aid to Gaza City, but provides no details on how they would continue amid a ramped-up offensive.

The Norwegian Refugee Council has not received notification that Israel's "tactical pauses" will be suspended. The Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum calls on the Israeli government to enter negotiations and prioritise a deal to return both the living and the dead. The situation in Gaza City continues to unfold, with both sides calling for a resolution to the conflict.