The Israel Gaza City offensive has intensified with heavy airstrikes and preparations for a ground invasion. Residents reported fierce attacks on northern and western areas of the city, which is home to nearly one million people. Hospitals said more than 30 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in Wednesday’s strikes.
The Israeli military chief vowed to keep targeting Hamas “centres of gravity” until the group is defeated and hostages are freed. But the UN warned that the offensive is already producing “horrific humanitarian consequences,” with famine deepening and families trapped in overcrowded shelters.
UN Warns of Humanitarian Disaster
UN agencies said the Israel Gaza City offensive has displaced more than 82,000 people since mid-August. Most fled towards the coast, while only a fraction moved south as the Israeli army directed. Aid groups say relocation is impossible for many due to costs, lack of transport, and unsafe conditions.
Reports emerged of Israeli drones striking near clinics and schools in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood. Videos showed ambulances on fire, while witnesses described tents being set ablaze. The UN warned that forcing mass relocations under such conditions could amount to “forcible transfer” under international law.
Families of Hostages Protest Amid Gaza City Offensive
The Israel Gaza City offensive has also sparked growing anger inside Israel. Families of hostages climbed onto Jerusalem’s National Library roof, demanding the government agree to a deal instead of escalating war. Protesters lit fires in the streets, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of abandoning captives.
Regional mediators have proposed a 60-day truce that would see 10 hostages freed alive and the bodies of 18 others returned. Netanyahu, however, insists on a comprehensive deal that includes Hamas’s disarmament.
Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza continues to rise. Local health authorities report at least 63,746 people killed since the war began, with hundreds dying from starvation and malnutrition.
