Israeli forces have neared the center of Gaza City as Hamas fighters regroup, signaling an impending escalation of street-to-street fighting. The tension has forced thousands of Palestinians to flee amid Israel's ongoing ground offensive, which targets what is described as Hamas's last stronghold in the city.
Israeli military strategy includes large-scale air strikes and demolitions, aiming to eliminate terrorist threats and rescue hostages. Footage verified by BBC shows Israeli tanks positioned perilously close to civilian hospitals and UN compounds in southern Gaza City.
Hamas, responding to the Israeli advances, has declared a readiness to deploy additional fighters into the conflict, heightening fears of violence where civilians are densely packed. Statements from within Hamas indicate a shift towards guerrilla tactics, aimed at countering mounting Israeli incursions.
The humanitarian impact remains staggering, with the UN estimating that at least 321,000 people have fled their homes amid dangerous conditions, including failing infrastructure and limited access to food and clean water.
Recent reports indicate that the Israeli Defense Forces estimate several thousand Hamas fighters are currently in the city, as the IDF recalibrates its tactics to counteract Hamas's shifting approach to warfare. Civilians remaining in Gaza City now face a critical humanitarian crisis as the threat of bombardment continues.
The intensification of fighting follows a devastating attack by Hamas on southern Israel last October, prompting a significant military response from Israel. As hostilities unfold, the civilian toll has reached catastrophic levels, with thousands killed since violence reignited.
