Israel Advances in Gaza City Offensive Amid Civilian Exodus

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Israel Advances in Gaza City Offensive Amid Civilian Exodus/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Israeli military has launched its long-anticipated ground offensive in Gaza City, intensifying bombardments and forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee while many remain trapped. The escalation comes as U.N. experts accuse Israel of genocide, a charge Israel denies. Families of hostages are pleading with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the assault as casualties mount and regional tensions deepen.

Displaced Palestinians flee northern Gaza along the coastal road toward the south, as Israel announced an expanded operation in Gaza City, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Displaced Palestinians flee northern Gaza along the coastal road toward the south, after Israel’s military says its expanded operation in Gaza City has begun and warns residents to leave, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Israel Gaza City Offensive: Quick Looks

Ground Invasion: Israel pushes troops into Gaza City, its largest population hub.
Civilian Exodus: Long lines of cars, trucks, and pedestrians flee bombardments.
Heavy Casualties: At least 34 Palestinians killed Tuesday morning alone.
U.N. Report: Experts accuse Israel of genocide; Israel rejects findings.
Hamas Fighters: Estimated 2,000–3,000 militants remain, using tunnels and guerrilla tactics.
Hostage Pleas: Families protest at Netanyahu’s home, demanding safety of captives.
Rubio’s Warning: U.S. Secretary of State says time for a deal is “running out.”
Egypt’s Rhetoric: President el-Sissi calls Israel an “enemy” for first time since 1979 treaty.
Regional Anger: Qatar and Arab leaders denounce Israel but stop short of sanctions.
Conflict Toll: Nearly 65,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023, per Gaza’s Health Ministry.

An Israeli armored vehicle moves along the Israeli-Gaza border as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Deep Look: Israel’s Ground Assault in Gaza City Sparks Civilian Exodus and Global Alarm

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel began its long-awaited ground assault in Gaza City on Tuesday, marking a major escalation in the nearly two-year war with Hamas. The offensive has unleashed intense bombardments across the city, forcing thousands to flee, even as hundreds of thousands remain trapped.

The operation underscores Israel’s determination to destroy Hamas’ remaining strongholds but also deepens fears of further humanitarian disaster.

Israeli Troops Move In

An Israeli military official, speaking anonymously under protocol, said the “main phase” of the Gaza City operation had begun. Troops are advancing from the outskirts toward the city center, supported by airstrikes that have already toppled multiple towers.

The military estimates 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas fighters remain in Gaza City, relying on tunnels and small guerrilla squads rather than large formations. While Israel says Hamas’ capacity is diminished, the group continues to stage hit-and-run attacks.

Defense Minister Israel Katz declared bluntly: “Gaza is burning.”

Civilian Flight and Casualties

By midday Tuesday, Shifa Hospital had received the bodies of at least 34 Palestinians killed in strikes, with dozens more wounded. Hospital director Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya described “a night of nonstop bombing.”

Footage from the AP showed women weeping over body bags at the morgue. “Throw us into any country. Enough of this torture,” pleaded Um Ahmed Zaqout, a grieving resident.

Lines of cars and trucks, stacked with mattresses and belongings, clogged Gaza’s coastal road. Some residents walked on foot. The Israeli military estimates 350,000 residents have evacuated, while U.N. figures suggest 220,000 have fled northern Gaza in the past month.

U.N. Genocide Accusations

The offensive coincided with a U.N. Human Rights Council report accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Israel rejected the finding as “distorted and false,” insisting its actions target Hamas fighters embedded in civilian areas.

Since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, assault on Israel — which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 abducted — Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed at least 64,900 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry says roughly half the dead are women and children.

Families of Hostages Protest

Outside Netanyahu’s residence, families of the remaining 48 hostages still in Gaza demanded a halt to the offensive. “Bring back my child and the other hostages — living and deceased,” pleaded Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is among those believed alive.

Israel estimates about 20 hostages are alive, but Hamas has tied their release to a permanent ceasefire, prisoner swaps, and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

U.S. and Regional Reactions

Visiting Israel, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged urgency in negotiations: “At some point, Hamas has to be defanged, and we hope it can happen through a negotiation. But time is running out.”

Rubio then traveled to Qatar, a key mediator, which remains enraged after an Israeli strike killed Hamas members in Doha last week. At a regional summit Monday, Arab and Muslim nations issued sharp condemnations but avoided concrete punitive measures.

Egypt’s Sharp Turn

Perhaps the most striking reaction came from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who labeled Israel an “enemy” in a fiery speech. It was the first such language since the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty, a cornerstone of Middle East stability. Cairo has not altered its diplomatic ties but signaled growing frustration with Israel’s conduct.

A Conflict Without Clear End

For Israel, the goal is to secure control over nearly all of Gaza, sparing only a narrow coastal strip. Yet with civilian casualties mounting, international pressure intensifying, and regional anger rising, the path to victory appears as fraught as ever.