Local residents and eyewitnesses report that dozens of Israeli tanks and military vehicles pushed into a major residential district of Gaza City on the second day of a ground offensive aimed at taking control of the area. Video footage depicts tanks, bulldozers, and armored personnel carriers advancing in Sheikh Radwan, generating thick clouds of smoke as artillery fire and smoke bombs cover the troops' movement.
The Sheikh Radwan district, once home to tens of thousands and one of the city's most densely populated areas, is now confronting serious humanitarian challenges. Israel claims the offensive seeks to liberate hostages held by Hamas and defeat up to 3,000 fighters within what it described as the group's last stronghold. This operation has incited considerable international backlash.
Leaders from over 20 major aid organizations, including Save the Children and Oxfam, have denounced the situation in Gaza as unconscionable. Eyewitnesses indicate that the military incursion follows extensive airstrikes on buildings and infrastructure in the neighborhood, preparing the ground for the assault.
Residents like Saad Hamada, who fled south, lament the extensive destruction caused by drones and artillery fire, which has obliterated critical resources, including solar panels and water tanks. Hamada stated, Life became impossible, forcing most people to leave despite the risks involved..
The offensive has sparked a fresh wave of displacement, with thousands now fleeing to southern areas. Long lines of vehicles loaded with belongings are visible as people attempt to escape the advancing Israeli army along designated routes opened by military forces.
As conflict escalates, the humanitarian situation deteriorates further. Aid agencies report that the designated safe zones in southern Gaza are overcrowded and incapable of supporting the influx of people, leading many to return to danger zones as evacuation orders conflict with ongoing military operations.
Since the beginning of the conflict on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack resulting in significant loss of life, the situation has only grown more critical. Over 65,000 casualties have been reported in Gaza, with international bodies warning of a deepening humanitarian crisis as military actions continue unabated.
