Israel Launches Ground Offensive in Gaza City: “Burning All side”

Darwin, September 17 —Israel has launched its long-anticipated ground offensive in Gaza City, declaring that “Gaza is burning.” On Tuesday, Israeli forces unleashed one of the most intense bombing campaigns in recent memory across the Gaza Strip.

According to Reuters, citing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israeli ground troops are pushing deeper into the city center. In the coming days, troop numbers are expected to increase to confront an estimated 3,000 Hamas fighters believed to be stationed in the area.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant posted on X (formerly Twitter),

“Gaza is burning. The IDF is striking terrorist infrastructure with an iron fist. Our soldiers are fighting bravely to set the conditions for the release of hostages and the defeat of Hamas.”

Thousands of Palestinians Flee Amid Heavy Attacks

Gazan health officials reported that at least 40 people were killed in the first few hours of the operation, most of them in Gaza City. Residents described intense aerial bombardment and tank incursions in several areas.

Israel once again called on civilians to evacuate, prompting long lines of Palestinians fleeing on foot, donkey carts, rickshaws, and overloaded vehicles — heading south and west in search of safety.

Abu Tamar, a 70-year-old man fleeing with his family, told Reuters:

“They’re destroying apartment towers, city landmarks, mosques, schools, and roads. They’re erasing our memories.”

U.S. Senator Rubio Backs Israel’s Military Path

Hours before the assault, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio openly supported Israel’s decision to abandon ceasefire talks and pursue military action against Hamas.

Speaking in a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, Rubio stated that while the U.S. prefers a diplomatic end to the war,

“That may not be possible, and we must be prepared for that reality.”

He endorsed Israel’s stance that the war can only end if Hamas is disarmed and dismantled, and all hostages are immediately released.

Hamas, however, has stated it is ready to release all hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, but insists that Israeli troops must withdraw from Gaza and that a Palestinian state must be established. Israel remains firm in its opposition to such terms.

Devastation and Desperation in Gaza

Local sources reported to Reuters that areas such as Tel al-Hawa in southwest Gaza City are being bombarded from air, land, and sea.

Residents said the IDF is deploying explosive-laden robots, and the resulting massive explosions are sending debris flying hundreds of meters.

Despite the heavy bombardment, some residents refuse to leave. Many cite lack of shelter or transport, while others believe nowhere is truly safe.

Umm Mohammad, a woman from Gaza’s Sabra neighborhood, said:

“It’s like fleeing from death to more death. So we’re not going.”

Both Hamas and the IDF estimate that around 350,000 people have already fled Gaza City. However, nearly twice that number remain trapped within the city.

Dire Conditions in the South

Much of Gaza City was already reduced to rubble during the early stages of the 2023 war. Still, nearly one million Palestinians had returned to their homes amidst the ruins. The new evacuations would effectively push almost all of Gaza’s population into southern coastal camps — areas Israel is calling “humanitarian zones.”

However, the UN, humanitarian organizations, and multiple foreign governments have condemned Israel’s approach as mass forced displacement, warning of severe shortages of food, medical care, shelter, and sanitation in the south.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported on Tuesday that three more people, including a child, died in the past 24 hours due to hunger and lack of food, bringing the total number of famine-related deaths to at least 428, most of them in the past two months.
An international aid agency described the crisis as a “man-made famine.”
Israel, however, has dismissed these claims as “exaggerations.”

UN Commission Accuses Israel of Genocide

On Tuesday, a United Nations fact-finding commission ruled that Israel has committed acts of genocide in Gaza, and accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and other top officials of inciting such actions.

Internal Dissent Within the IDF

Even within the Israeli military, concern is growing. Some IDF commanders reportedly warned that advancing into Gaza City could endanger the lives of remaining hostages and may turn into a “death trap” for soldiers.

During a security meeting with Netanyahu, Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi advised exploring a ceasefire agreement, according to three Israeli officials — two of whom were present and one who was briefed on the meeting.

Meanwhile, as the bombardment intensified Monday night, families of Israeli hostages gathered outside Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, demanding an immediate deal to bring their loved ones home.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the Israeli offensive.