Israeli forces initiate ground operation in Gaza City
In a move that has sparked international concern and accusations of war crimes, Israel has launched a ground offensive in Gaza City. The operation, which involves two divisions of both regular and reserve troops, is aimed at neutralizing up to 3,000 combat-ready members of Hamas, the Islamic terror organization present in the area.
The military leadership of Israel was tasked by the political leadership to lead the operation, specifically the forces of the IDF Southern Command extending their ground activities in Gaza City. This comes after the Israeli security cabinet approved the takeover of the city in August, despite the military's opposition, with the intention of destroying the remaining Hamas forces there.
Israeli troops have been deployed in the outskirts of Gaza for weeks. The offensive began on Monday night, with the Israeli military significantly intensifying its attacks on the city. Several U.S. media outlets reported on tanks advancing into the city.
Critics accuse Israel of war crimes, with Israel insisting that it is only fighting Hamas. The Israeli government has condemned the report by UN-appointed human rights experts who accuse Israel of committing genocide. The commission found that four of the five acts mentioned in the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide were fulfilled.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed concern over the Israeli military offensive, stating it could lead to more bloodshed, civilian deaths, and endanger the lives of hostages. The Forum of Relatives of the Hostages also expressed great concern, stating that "tonight could be the last night for the hostages." Currently, there are 48 hostages in the Gaza Strip, of whom 20 are reportedly still alive.
The Gaza war began with an attack by Hamas and other Islamic terrorists on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in around 1,200 deaths and over 250 captives. The operation in Gaza City comes after weeks of air strikes that have reportedly resulted in around 65,000 Palestinian deaths, including many women and children, since the beginning of the war.
Israel's opposition leader, Yair Lapid, has accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of being responsible for the country's growing international isolation and criticized him for remaining silent on extremist statements regarding the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government, however, maintains that it is only fighting Hamas, with civilians being used as "human shields" by the terrorist organization.
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