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 Sunday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that about 250,000 people had left the city and moved south. They also stated they had destroyed a high-rise building allegedly used for launching attacks against Israeli troops.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserts that Gaza City is Hamas's last major stronghold, but this plan has attracted international criticism. The UN has warned that escalating violence in an area already suffering from famine could lead to an even more dire humanitarian crisis.
Residents complain that the Israeli military has been targeting schools and makeshift shelters, often issuing warnings just moments ahead of bombardments. Many families flee toward western Gaza, desperate to escape the hostilities.
We escaped certain death, my husband, our three children and I, recounted Saly Tafeesh, a mother in Gaza City. My brother died in my arms after being shot by a quadcopter drone. We ran in the dark to the west of Gaza.
The humanitarian crisis is turning critical, with reports of 64,803 people killed in Gaza since the intensified military campaign began in response to a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
Families struggle under the burden of evacuating, with many unable to afford the high costs associated with leaving. As the conflict rages on, calls from Hamas for residents to stay solidify the tragic plight of civilians caught in the crossfire.
