In brief
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City have intensified, targeting residential areas and resulting in mass civilian displacement. Approximately 250,000 people have fled the city as Israel prepares for an anticipated ground offensive. Eyewitness accounts describe the harrowing experiences of families escaping the violence, while international voices raise concerns over humanitarian repercussions and the impact of these military actions.
Israeli forces have stepped up their assault on Gaza City with a wave of heavy air strikes, marking a sharp escalation from previous military operations. Unlike earlier phases of the war, the current offensive has relied heavily on aerial bombardments, with entire apartment blocks and large concrete structures reduced to rubble.
The intensification of strikes in recent days has triggered a surge in civilian displacement. Israel has warned all residents of Gaza City to leave immediately in anticipation of a huge ground offensive.
On Saturday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that about 250,000 people had left the city and moved south, while also claiming to have destroyed a high-rise building used for orchestrating attacks against its troops. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that the city is Hamas's last major stronghold, leading to international criticism regarding the humanitarian impact of the military campaign.
UN officials have cautioned that further escalation in an area already facing famine conditions could lead to a more severe humanitarian catastrophe. Residents describe how the Israeli military has targeted schools and makeshift shelters, often issuing warnings only moments prior to bombardments.
Families are fleeing toward western Gaza under the cover of darkness. 'We escaped certain death, my husband, our three children and I,' recounted Saly Tafeesh. 'My brother died in my arms after being shot by a quadcopter drone. We ran in the dark to the west of Gaza.'
As evacuation orders have been issued, many find the journey prohibitive, with costs reaching up to $1,100. Meanwhile, Hamas has intensified calls for residents to remain and resist evacuation.
Israeli military operations continue to wreak havoc, with reports from the Hamas-run health ministry indicating that bodies of at least 47 people killed by Israeli strikes had been received at hospitals over the past day, amidst an overall death toll of over 64,803 since the conflict began following a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
