Military forces of Israel advance further into Gaza City, prompting mass displacement of residents

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened his security cabinet to discuss a new offensive aimed at seizing control of Gaza City, marking a potential escalation in the ongoing conflict. The decision comes after weeks of intensifying protests in Israel calling for an end to the war and the release of hostages.

Since Sunday, the Israeli Security Cabinet, led by Netanyahu, has initiated preparations for a ground invasion of Gaza City. Reports suggest that Israeli forces have already sent old armoured vehicles into the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, which were then detonated remotely, resulting in the destruction of several houses and forcing more families to flee.

The International Association of Genocide Scholars has passed a resolution stating that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. However, Israel has yet to respond to this allegation.

Local health authorities in Gaza report that 14 people, including women and children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on houses in Gaza City. Over the past day, Israeli forces have also struck several military structures and outposts used by Hamas to stage attacks.

Israel's military is continuing to fight Hamas across the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the reported airstrikes and deaths. Israel plans to evacuate the civilian population before moving more ground forces into Gaza City.

The war began with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the death of around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the capture of 251 people. Twenty of the remaining 48 hostages are believed to still be alive.

Residents of the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood are fearful and confused, with some fleeing their homes and others unsure of where to go due to the ongoing violence. The Israeli military has warned its political leaders that the planned Gaza City offensive could endanger the hostages still being held by Hamas.

Efforts to revive ceasefire talks, which ended in July in deadlock, have so far failed. Israel is planning to take full control of the Gaza Strip, starting with Gaza City, with the goal of destroying Hamas after nearly two years of war.

According to Gaza health officials, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 63,000 people, mostly civilians, and has plunged the enclave into a humanitarian crisis and left much of it in ruins. Explosives-laden vehicles were detonated in one Gaza City suburb, killing at least 19 people.

The Israeli military has dropped leaflets over Gaza City, telling residents to head south immediately, as they intend to expand their offensive westward of the city. There was no immediate response from Israel regarding the reported offensive or the statement from the International Association of Genocide Scholars.

Military forces of Israel advance further into Gaza City, prompting mass displacement of residents