Israeli Forces Intensify Offensive on Gaza City Amid Mounting Civilian Toll

Israeli aircraft and tanks pounded the eastern and northern outskirts of Gaza City overnight into Sunday, destroying buildings and homes as Israeli leaders vowed to press ahead with a large-scale offensive on the city.

Witnesses reported continuous explosions in the Zeitoun and Shejaia neighborhoods, while tanks shelled houses and roads in Sabra and several buildings were blown up in northern Jabaliya. Fires lit the skies, causing panic and prompting some families to flee. Others, unable or unwilling to leave, said they would rather stay despite the bombardment.

About half of Gaza’s population of roughly 2 million live in Gaza City. While a few thousand have already left, many remain. “No place is safe, but I can’t take the risk. If they suddenly begin the invasion, they will use heavy fire,” said Mohammad, 40, who has evacuated multiple times with his wife and three daughters. Aya, 31, who lives with a family of eight, said they could not afford tents or transportation: “We are hungry, afraid and don’t have money. We are not leaving, let them bomb us at home.”

Israel earlier this month approved an expanded plan to seize control of Gaza City, though forces are not expected to move into the devastated city center for weeks, leaving space for Egypt and Qatar to try to revive ceasefire talks. Still, Israeli forces continued heavy strikes, including renewed combat in Jabaliya.

On Sunday, Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed to continue the offensive. He had previously warned that Gaza City would be razed unless Hamas released all hostages and ended the war on Israel’s terms. Hamas responded that Israel’s plan showed it was not serious about a ceasefire, calling such an agreement “the only way to return the hostages,” and placing responsibility for their lives on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The humanitarian crisis worsened further as UN-backed experts declared on Friday that Gaza City and surrounding areas are facing an “entirely man-made” famine. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned that starvation is present and spreading rapidly, with exponentially rising deaths if aid is not delivered immediately.

The Gaza health ministry reported Sunday that eight more people had died from malnutrition and starvation, raising such deaths to 289, including 115 children, since the start of the war. Gaza’s civil defence agency said at least 42 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Sunday alone, including eight in Sabra.

Israel is facing genocide allegations at the International Court of Justice over its Gaza campaign, which has killed more than 60,000 people, according to Palestinian officials. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, as well as for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, though the latter was withdrawn after his death.