Israel begins major ground assault in Gaza City

The conflict in Gaza has intensified as Israel expanded its ground offensive in Gaza City, drawing sharp criticism from international bodies and governments.

A United Nations probe accused Israel of committing genocide in the Palestinian territory, directly charging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior officials with incitement. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared Gaza City “on fire,” while the military estimated that around 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas fighters remain active in the area. Witnesses described relentless bombardment, with large parts of Gaza City already reduced to ruins after nearly two years of strikes since the Hamas attacks of October 2023. Residents reported that entire families remain trapped under debris. Ahmed Ghazal, a 25-year-old local, said civilians could still be heard crying for help under the rubble.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed strong support for Israel’s military campaign after meeting Netanyahu in Jerusalem. He endorsed the offensive, saying it was necessary to weaken Hamas and secure the release of Israeli hostages. In contrast, Germany strongly condemned Israel’s latest assault. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the ground offensive on Gaza City “completely wrong” and urged Israel to pursue negotiations for a ceasefire and a hostage release deal instead of continuing military escalation.

According to Gaza’s health authorities, Israel’s campaign has killed more than 64900 people, the majority of them civilians, since the war began. Human rights groups warn that the humanitarian crisis is worsening, with food, water, and medical supplies running dangerously low. As the situation deteriorates, international pressure is mounting on Israel to halt its operations and return to dialogue, while residents of Gaza continue to face devastating consequences.