International Outrage Grows As Israeli Ground Offensive Begins In Gaza City
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a long-expected and controversial ground offensive in densely populated Gaza City Tuesday, escalating its military campaign against Hamas amid growing global backlash and concern for Israeli hostages still being held in the area.
The IDF said it had “begun destroying Hamas infrastructure” in the city, following a wave of overnight airstrikes.
It comes as a U.N. commission of independent experts on Tuesday said the Israeli government is committing genocide in Gaza, which Israel strongly rejected.
The offensive to take Gaza’s largest city marks one of the most intense Israeli operations in the nearly two year-long war, and is a gamble that increased military pressure on Hamas will force the terror group to make concessions in hostage negotiations and ceasefire talks.
INSIDE THE OPERATION
The IDF said more than 40% of Gaza City’s one million residents (half of the enclave) had evacuated in recent weeks, after warnings to flee to Israeli-designated “safe zones.” But many Palestinians say they cannot leave, citing exhaustion from the nearly 23-month war, lack of transport, or concern about how overcrowded southern Gaza has become. Hamas has also been threatening residents not to evacuate.
Israeli officials claim there are up to 3,000 Hamas fighters in the city and a vast network of tunnels used by the militant group. They have not provided a timeline for the operation.
Hospitals in Gaza City reported at least 69 deaths following the bombing. Former IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said last week that over 10% of Gaza’s population — more than 200,000 — have been killed or injured since the war began.
PRESSURE IN ISRAEL
The offensive comes amid large protests by Israelis and some of the families of the 48 remaining hostages, who fear the military operation could put their loved ones at even greater risk as they are believed to be held in the Gaza City area.
The European Union warned the assault “will lead to more destruction, more death and more displacement,” and “aggravate the already catastrophic humanitarian situation and also endangers the lives of hostages.”
The UK’s foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, called the new IDF assault “utterly reckless and appalling.”
Separately on Tuesday, a UN-appointed Commission of Inquiry issued a 72-page report accusing the Israeli government of committing genocide in Gaza, saying its actions are intended to “destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a group.” The commission is not a legal body, though its findings could be used in other international proceedings.
Israel rejected the findings as “distorted and false,” calling the three panel members “Hamas proxies” and accusing them of anti-Israel bias.