Israeli air and ground forces intensified operations in Gaza City on Monday, unleashing a wave of strikes that marked the start of a fresh ground offensive in the war-torn enclave.
Residents reported relentless bombardments through the night, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble as Israeli troops pushed deeper into the densely populated city. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that ground units, backed by tanks and artillery, had begun what it described as “targeted operations” aimed at dismantling Hamas strongholds and underground tunnel networks.
Health officials in Gaza said dozens of civilians were killed or injured in the latest assault, with hospitals struggling to cope amid dwindling supplies and a mounting humanitarian crisis. The strikes also cut off several key roads, further isolating Gaza City from southern parts of the strip where many displaced residents had fled earlier in the conflict.
Israel has framed the offensive as a decisive stage in its campaign to neutralize Hamas after months of escalating rocket attacks and cross-border clashes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address that the operation would continue “until Gaza is no longer a launchpad for terror.”
International reaction was swift. The United Nations and several Western governments urged Israel to exercise restraint, warning that the ground incursion risked worsening the already dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Human rights groups have raised concerns about civilian casualties, calling for urgent humanitarian corridors to deliver food, water, and medical aid.
As the offensive expands, analysts warn of a prolonged conflict that could draw in regional actors and further destabilize the Middle East. For families trapped inside Gaza City, the immediate reality is one of fear and uncertainty, as strikes continue to light up the night sky and the sound of shelling echoes across the city.
