In a dramatic escalation of tension, large numbers of Palestinians are fleeing Gaza City as the Israeli military intensifies its ground offensive, resulting in multiple casualties from aerial strikes. Photographs from the scene depict a continuous flow of people leaving the city on foot, in cars, and utilizing donkey carts, carrying what little possessions they can salvage while the bombardment intensifies.
Israel had announced the commencement of its US-backed campaign to eliminate the militant group Hamas in Gaza City, which is reported to be one of the most densely populated urban areas. The offensive has drawn widespread international condemnation, particularly as the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory has deteriorated significantly over the last two years, compounded by a UN declaration of famine in the region.
According to Gaza’s civil defense agency, an entity operating under Hamas control, Israeli strikes killed at least 64 individuals on Wednesday alone, with 41 fatalities attributed to bombardments in Gaza City. However, due to media restrictions and the challenges of accessing various regions, independent verification of these figures remains difficult.
The timing of the offensive coincides with a United Nations investigation which has accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people, alleging that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials have incited these acts. Amidst the backdrop of this investigation, the Israeli military announced a temporary transportation corridor via Salah al-Din Street, which it stated would be open for just 48 hours to facilitate the movement of displaced individuals.
As of late August, the UN estimated that approximately one million residents were living in and around Gaza City, with around 350,000 reported to have fled according to Israeli sources. Yet, many residents express reluctance to abandon their homes, deeming no location safe from the violence. “I won’t leave Gaza. There’s shelling here and there,” stated Umm Ahmed Yunes, a resident enduring destruction in her home. She lamented the financial burden that evacuation would impose, saying, “Death is cheaper and more merciful.”
Fatima Lubbad, a mother of four who left Gaza City alongside ten relatives, recounted the traumatic experience of fleeing. “Last night we slept in the street by the sea in Deir el-Balah,” she shared, describing the unbearable conditions faced by her family as they sought shelter.
The Israeli military reported having struck over 150 targets in Gaza City since initiating the ground offensive, including civilian areas such as Shati camp, where an airstrike led to the deaths of a woman and her child. Eyewitness Mohammed al-Danf voiced a common sentiment among many: “Enough, we want to be free. We want to live, we don’t want to die.”
In a separate but related event, families of hostages taken during a recent attack by Palestinian militants protested outside Netanyahu’s residence, pleading for the safe return of their loved ones. Approximately 47 individuals remain captive in Gaza, with a significant number reported dead.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in an alarming death toll; Israeli retaliatory strikes have reportedly killed over 65,000 people in Gaza, predominantly civilians, according to the territory’s health ministry.
As global outrage mounts, various entities, including Qatar and China, have condemned Israel’s military actions, describing them as part of a broader “genocidal war against the Palestinian people.” The situation is exacerbated by Israel’s previous targeting of Hamas leaders, with ongoing violence and chaos marking the region.
In a significant statement, Navi Pillay, chief of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, asserted that “genocide is occurring in Gaza and is continuing to occur,” a classification Israel has firmly rejected, labeling the report as distorted and calling for the dissolution of the commission.
The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, with mounting casualties and displaced populations desperately seeking refuge as the situation remains volatile.
