Israel commences ground offensive in Gaza City
Israel has commenced its long-planned major ground offensive in Gaza City, having conducted heavy air strikes on specific targets overnight.
Thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee down a single coastal road to the centre of the Strip, joining hundreds of thousands who have already fled.
Israel had instructed residents in Gaza City to evacuate the area to a designated safe zone in the south of Gaza prior to this offensive.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a “powerful operation” had been launched against Hamas’ “last major stronghold”.
A huge number of Palestinians were seen streaming towards the south in donkey carts, rickshaws, vehicles strapped high with belongings, and on foot.
About seventy five percent of Gaza had already been under Israeli control since the commencement of the war in October 2023.
Gaza City is the last stronghold of Hamas terrorist organization which Israel now plans to decimate. Israel also plans to rescue the remaining 50 hostages (both dead and alive) still under the captivity of Hamas.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that about 350,000 people have now fled Gaza City as residents have been asked by Israeli military to flee to a humanitarian zone in the south.
