The Israeli military has initiated a significant ground offensive in Gaza City, as confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday. This military maneuver, which commenced overnight, involves two divisions currently engaged in operations, with a third division anticipated to join the efforts. This latest phase marks a continuation of the ground operations initiated earlier this month, which is reported to be the largest military action within the Gaza Strip.
In preparation for the military actions, Israeli officials issued a critical evacuation order for all residents of Gaza City a week prior, emphasizing the potential dangers of remaining in the area. IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee reiterated the risks on social media, stating, “Staying in the city is extremely dangerous.” As of Tuesday, the number of remaining residents in Gaza City remains uncertain. However, a church official at the Holy Family Church reported to ABC News that they are still sheltering within the church, expressing no intention to evacuate.
The military actions in Gaza City follow a recent visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who met privately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend. Following a joint news conference on Tuesday, Rubio affirmed the United States' backing of Israel's objectives, particularly the goal of dismantling Hamas. In contrast, Hamas issued a statement accusing Netanyahu and the Israeli government of undermining any possibility of reaching an agreement to resolve the conflict and secure the release of remaining hostages.
Despite the escalating military actions, Rubio indicated that the U.S. continues to advocate for a negotiated resolution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He remarked, “We think we have a very short window of time in which a deal can happen. We don’t have months anymore; we probably have days, maybe a few weeks. So, it’s a key moment, an important moment.”
This situation in Gaza City remains fluid, with developments occurring rapidly. For the latest updates on the Israeli ground offensive and diplomatic efforts, please check back with us frequently. This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide comprehensive coverage as new information becomes available.
Contributions to this report were made by ABC News’ Joe Simonetti, Alex Ederson, Jordana Miller, and Will Gretsky.
