Local residents and eyewitnesses report that dozens of Israeli tanks and military vehicles have entered the Sheikh Radwan district of Gaza City. This marks the second day of Israel's ground offensive aimed at stabilizing control over the area inhabited by tens of thousands of people.
Video footage capture scenes of tanks, bulldozers, and armored personnel carriers advancing amidst clouds of smoke as Israeli forces employ artillery shells and smoke bombs to cover their movements.
Israel's military operations, which aim to liberate hostages held by Hamas and eliminate an estimated 3,000 fighters in what they describe as the group's 'final stronghold,' have drawn significant international criticism.
Leaders from over 20 prominent aid organizations, including Save the Children and Oxfam, have condemned the situation in Gaza as 'unconscionable.' Witnesses from Sheikh Radwan report that the military's ground incursion follows a series of heavy airstrikes targeting vital infrastructure within the neighborhood, intensifying fears among civilians.
According to Saad Hamada, a resident who fled south with his family, the relentless drone strikes have devastated the area. 'The drones didn’t leave anything untouched,' he said. 'This destruction forced many to leave despite the inherent risks.'
The sight of tanks within Gaza City has ignited panic among remaining residents, many of whom have fled to already overcrowded conditions in the south. The Israeli military has reported a high number of targets struck, employing older military vehicles loaded with explosives remotely to conduct operations against Hamas positions.
As the offensive continues, more civilians are expected to evacuate, joining a large number already displaced. The ongoing conflict has reportedly led to over 65,000 fatalities in Gaza since the beginning of hostilities in October 2023, prompting urgent calls for international intervention and humanitarian support.
