The Israeli army has launched its most intense and punishing attacks on Gaza City in the two years since the outbreak of war, forcing thousands of residents to flee amidst a backdrop of bombs and bullets. The situation has escalated to such a dire state that the United Nations chief has described the ongoing offensive as “horrendous.” Israeli Minister of Defence, Israel Katz, articulated the alarming reality, stating, “Gaza is burning,” as columns of vehicles, including vans and donkey carts packed with furniture, and people carrying their last possessions, streamed down the coastal al-Rashid Street. Black smoke billowed from the ruins of the city, illustrating the devastation unfolding on the ground.
Initially, many residents pledged to remain in their homes during the early phases of Israel’s takeover plan. However, as the military intensified its bombing campaign, reducing high-rises, homes, and vital civilian infrastructure to rubble, those who could afford to escape began heading south. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees of safety or shelter in the south, with conditions remaining precarious. On Tuesday alone, the Israeli army reported at least 91 fatalities in Gaza City, with health authorities indicating that one of the bombs struck a vehicle carrying individuals attempting to flee along the coastal road. The destruction of residential buildings has been catastrophic, with at least 17 buildings, including the Aybaki Mosque in the Tuffah neighborhood, decimated by Israeli airstrikes.
As the bombing continued, the Israeli army utilized explosive-laden robots to target various areas of Gaza City. Earlier this month, the rights organization Euro-Med Monitor reported that 15 of these machines were deployed, each capable of demolishing up to 20 housing units. This new wave of technological warfare has compounded the already dire humanitarian crisis.
Approximately 1 million Palestinians returned to Gaza City to live among the ruins after the initial phase of the war. However, reports on the number of residents still remaining vary significantly. An Israeli army official estimated that around 350,000 had fled, while Gaza’s Government Media Office reported that 350,000 had been displaced to the center and western parts of the city, with 190,000 leaving entirely. Those who have relocated to the south face a bleak future, especially in the already overcrowded al-Mawasi camp, which has also been hit by Israeli airstrikes. Amid this chaos, the Government Media Office noted a trend of reverse displacement, revealing that 15,000 individuals returned to Gaza City after witnessing the dire conditions in al-Mawasi.
As residents fled, the Israeli military released aerial footage showing a significant number of tanks and armored vehicles advancing deeper into Gaza City. An army spokesperson, Effie Defrin, acknowledged that it would take “several months” to establish control over Gaza City, stating, “No matter how long it takes, we will operate in Gaza.” This declaration underscores the intensity and duration of the conflict, with at least 106 fatalities reported across Gaza since the early hours of Tuesday.
Amid the brutal military offensive, the United Nations Commission of Inquiry issued a groundbreaking report on Tuesday, concluding that Israel's actions in Gaza constitute genocide. This landmark finding comes after nearly two years of conflict that has resulted in the deaths of at least 64,964 individuals. The commission's conclusions were supported by public statements from Israeli officials, demonstrating what it termed “dolus specialis” or the “specific intent” to destroy the Palestinian people.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed this report, stating, “The situation in Gaza today portends a humanitarian catastrophe that cannot tolerate any leniency or delay.” International criticism of Israel’s actions is mounting, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemning the war as morally, politically, and legally intolerable. France’s Foreign Ministry has urged Israel to halt its “destructive campaign” and resume peace negotiations, while Irish President Michael D. Higgins condemned the actions of those perpetrating and supporting these atrocities. He emphasized the need for accountability, suggesting that it is time to reconsider trade with nations that facilitate such violence against humanity.
