The Israeli military has escalated its operations in Gaza City, warning residents on Friday of an “unprecedented force” as it intensifies its ground offensive on the region’s largest urban center. The situation in Gaza City, which is facing a dire humanitarian crisis, has been compounded by ongoing air strikes and tank fire. These military actions are part of Israel’s strategy to take control of the city nearly two years into a conflict that has devastated the Palestinian territory and led to a famine declared by the United Nations.
This military offensive comes at a politically charged moment, with several Western countries, including Britain and France, preparing to recognize a Palestinian state at an upcoming UN summit next week. Israel’s ground assault began earlier in the week, prompting the military to urge residents to evacuate southward. However, many Palestinians have reported barriers to escape, citing exorbitant travel costs and a lack of available transportation.
Khaled al-Majdalawi, a displaced resident, described his difficulties in escaping Gaza City amid “intense and continuous” shelling. He recounted attempts to evacuate with his family, waiting for hours without any transport. The UN has estimated that around one million people reside in Gaza City and its surroundings, and the military claims that approximately 480,000 people have fled since late August. In contrast, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that 450,000 individuals have evacuated the area.
On Friday, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesman revealed the closure of a temporary evacuation route that had been established two days earlier. He stated that the only remaining exit to the south was via the Al-Rashid road, which runs along the Mediterranean coast. Avichay Adraee emphasized the military’s determination to maintain operations against Hamas and other militant groups, urging residents to take the opportunity to join those already heading south to what the military claims is a designated “humanitarian area.”
Israeli authorities initially declared the coastal region a safe zone for civilians, offering aid and medical care. However, subsequent military actions have targeted the area, justified by claims of Hamas activities. Reports indicate that residents are walking long distances under dire conditions; some families are forced to scrape together resources for transport while others have taken to moving on foot.
Nivin Ahmed described her family’s exhausting trek south from Gaza City, emphasizing the physical toll it took on her young children. Others, like Mona Abdel Karim, have faced challenges in securing transportation, leading her and her family to sleep on the roadside for days while waiting for a ride.
Meanwhile, the civil defense agency reported ongoing violence with artillery shelling and gunfire in various neighborhoods. This escalation of military action has led to civilian casualties, with reports indicating at least 41 deaths across the territory on Friday alone, including 11 in Gaza City. The Israeli military stated that its forces are actively targeting militants and dismantling terrorist infrastructure while using a combination of air strikes, tank fire, and drones.
Complicated by media restrictions and access difficulties, independent verification of these reports remains challenging. The escalation in violence follows a UN investigation that accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza, a claim that Israeli officials have categorically denied, labeling the findings as “distorted and false.”
This conflict, which reignited following Hamas’s attack on October 7, has resulted in significant loss of life, with figures indicating that approximately 1,219 people, predominantly civilians, died in the initial assault. In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign has claimed the lives of at least 65,174 individuals, also primarily civilians, according to data from the territory’s health ministry, which the United Nations recognizes as reliable.
