Thousands of Palestinians flee Gaza City as Israeli ground offensive deepens humanitarian crisis
Gaza City: Israel’s latest ground offensive in Gaza City has triggered a fresh wave of displacement, forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee a city already devastated by nearly two years of war. Families packed into vehicles strapped with mattresses, while others fled on foot, clogging the coastal road in search of safety.
The Israeli military launched what it calls the “main phase” of its operation on Tuesday, vowing to dismantle Hamas’ remaining infrastructure. But for Gaza’s residents, the renewed assault has brought only more destruction and despair.
“We fled with nothing but a few pieces of clothing. People are pitching their tents in western Gaza City, and they are sleeping among human waste because there is no place for them to go,” said Ismail Zaydah, 39, who escaped from Sheikh Radwan.
Hospitals reported dozens of deaths overnight, including children. Shifa Hospital received 49 bodies, 22 of them children, while Al-Ahli and Al-Quds hospitals reported additional casualties. Dr Mohamed Abu Selmiya, director of Shifa, described the night as “very tough”, with bombing that “did not stop for a single moment”.
The United Nations estimates that over 220,000 Palestinians have fled northern Gaza in the past month, with the Israeli military claiming 350,000 have evacuated Gaza City alone. Yet hundreds of thousands remain trapped, many without access to food, water, or shelter.
“They are destroying residential towers, the pillars of the city, mosques, schools and roads,” said Abu Tamer, a 70-year-old man fleeing south with his family. “They are wiping out our memories.”
The offensive coincided with a UN Human Rights Council report accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza—a charge Israel has rejected as “distorted and false”.
Meanwhile, hostages’ families gathered outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, pleading for an end to the operation. “Netanyahu gave the order to bomb my child,” said Anat Angrast, whose son is held in Gaza. “He is the only one who will decide whether Matan lives or dies.”
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, international pressure mounts. Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi called Israel “an enemy” in a rare diplomatic rebuke, while Qatar and other nations condemned the escalation.
Despite calls for a ceasefire, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that time is running out. “At some point, this has to end,” he said. “But I think time, unfortunately, is running out.”
AP