The war in Gaza has reached another devastating milestone. Israeli troops press forward into Gaza City as Palestinians flee, death toll passes 65,000, according to health officials in the enclave. The fighting, which has entered its second year, is now centered in the heart of Gaza City, triggering one of the largest waves of displacement since the conflict began.
Troops Advance Deep into Gaza City
Israeli forces launched an intensified ground operation this week, moving block by block into Gaza City from multiple fronts. Tanks, armored vehicles, and infantry units have been pushing toward central neighborhoods, supported by heavy artillery and airstrikes.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the operation aims to dismantle Hamas’ remaining command posts, which they claim are embedded within civilian areas. The IDF also insists that militants are using residential buildings, schools, and hospitals as shields for their operations — a claim Hamas denies.
For civilians, the result has been unrelenting bombardment. Loud explosions echo day and night, reducing entire streets to rubble. Families describe the terrifying scenes of trying to escape while carrying what little they can on their backs.
Civilians Caught in the Crossfire
The humanitarian cost of the war continues to escalate. The Gaza Health Ministry reports more than 65,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023. At least 165,000 more have been wounded, with many suffering life-altering injuries.
In the past 48 hours alone, airstrikes have flattened residential towers and temporary refugee shelters. Doctors say hospitals, already running without electricity or adequate medical supplies, are struggling to cope with the relentless influx of the wounded.
One survivor, fleeing with her children, told reporters:
“We left our home with nothing. We don’t know where to go. Every road is dangerous, and every shelter is overcrowded. All we want is safety, but there is no safe place in Gaza anymore.”
Mass Displacement Reaches New Levels
The United Nations estimates that more than 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced since the conflict began. The latest Israeli push into Gaza City has triggered another wave of evacuations, with tens of thousands moving south through temporary corridors.
Israel recently announced the opening of a 48-hour evacuation route via Salah al-Din Road to allow civilians to leave Gaza City. While thousands took the risk, others remain trapped. Many say they fear being targeted on the road or believe there are no truly safe zones left in southern Gaza.
With entire neighborhoods destroyed, many displaced families are forced to live in makeshift tents or open fields. Aid agencies warn of famine conditions, severe shortages of clean water, and disease outbreaks in crowded camps.
International Response and Condemnation
The global community is watching closely as the humanitarian crisis deepens. The United Nations has called the situation “catastrophic” and warned that mass displacement coupled with widespread destruction could amount to violations of international law.
Human rights groups have accused Israel of excessive use of force and targeting civilian infrastructure. Israel maintains that it does everything possible to minimize civilian casualties and places blame on Hamas for operating within populated areas.
Meanwhile, several governments, including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, are urging both sides to agree on a ceasefire. But negotiations remain deadlocked, with Israel insisting on dismantling Hamas’ military structure and Hamas demanding an end to the blockade and international guarantees for Palestinian rights.
Why Gaza City Matters
Gaza City is not only the largest population center in the enclave but also the symbolic and strategic heart of Palestinian political life. Controlling it gives Israel leverage in its campaign against Hamas, but the military offensive has transformed the city into a graveyard of shattered buildings and broken lives.
Analysts say Israel’s push into Gaza City marks one of the most intense phases of the war. Yet even if the IDF manages to take control of key districts, questions remain: how sustainable will it be, and at what humanitarian cost?
The Humanitarian Emergency
Relief organizations describe the situation as one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. Food supplies are nearly exhausted, medical facilities are overwhelmed, and electricity blackouts have left families cut off from communication and aid.
UN officials say famine is imminent, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israeli troops have tightened control and access for aid convoys remains limited. Children, who make up almost half the population, are the most vulnerable.
A senior UN official summed up the crisis:
“We are witnessing a humanitarian disaster unfold in real time. Civilians are paying the highest price, and urgent action is needed to prevent further catastrophe.”
The Bottom Line
As Israeli troops press forward into Gaza City as Palestinians flee, death toll passes 65,000, the conflict shows no sign of abating. What began as a war against Hamas has expanded into a devastating humanitarian disaster that is reshaping the entire Gaza Strip.
For the people of Gaza, survival is now the only goal. For the international community, the challenge is to push both sides toward a resolution that ends the suffering while addressing the root causes of this decades-long conflict. Until then, Gaza’s residents remain trapped in an endless cycle of violence, displacement, and grief.
