Israeli forces have neared the centre of Gaza City as Hamas fighters reportedly regroup amid fears of intense street-to-street fighting. Thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee the city since Israel launched its ground offensive last week.
Israel describes the city as the last stronghold of Hamas and aims to eliminate terrorists and rescue its 48 remaining hostages, 20 of whom are thought to be alive. The BBC has verified footage of Israeli tanks at Hamid Junction, around 1.5km from al-Shifa hospital, with armoured vehicles close to the main UN compound in southern Gaza City.
The BBC has spoken to a Hamas figure claiming the group is prepared to mobilize thousands of fighters in Gaza City, heightening concerns of intense fighting in dense urban areas. Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the group's military commander, reportedly instructed all available fighters across the Strip to prepare for a final, decisive battle.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) estimated last week that up to 3,000 Hamas fighters were in the city, although Hamas claimed there were 5,000 fighters and threatened suicide attacks. Claims from both sides are hard to verify due to restrictions on journalists entering Gaza independently.
Residents report that the Israeli military has conducted rapid thrusts into urban areas, pulling back within hours. This tactic has included employing damaged armoured vehicles packed with explosives to attack Hamas positions.
The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen as thousands of Palestinian families flee south along the al-Rashid road, with the UN reporting that at least 321,000 people have escaped since mid-August. Families face prohibitive costs for transport and many have been unable to carry their belongings, leaving them behind.
Those who remain in Gaza City face ongoing bombardment, overcrowded hospitals, and dwindling supplies of food and water, thereby aggravating an already dire situation exacerbated by the conflict that intensified after Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
