Key Points
- Israeli forces have launched an intensified ground offensive in Gaza City, with tanks advancing into central and western areas of the city as part of “Operation Gideon’s Chariots II”.
- The Israeli military opened a temporary 48-hour evacuation route for Palestinians to flee Gaza City southward, amid estimates that 400,000 people have already evacuated while 500,000 remain.
- Over 150 Israeli airstrikes have hit Gaza City in recent days, targeting high-rise buildings Israel claims were used by Hamas for surveillance.
- Communications networks have been severely disrupted since Wednesday morning due to attacks on infrastructure, preventing residents from coordinating evacuations or calling for help.
- The Gaza Health Ministry reports the death toll has surpassed 65,000 Palestinians, while the UN has confirmed famine conditions in Gaza City and warned of potential genocide.
New Delhi: Israeli forces have escalated their military operations in Gaza City with a major ground offensive that began on September 15, 2025, marking the most intensive phase of what Israel calls “Operation Gideon’s Chariots II”. Tank columns have advanced deep into the city from multiple directions, targeting central and western neighborhoods including Sheikh Radwan, Tel al-Hawa, and Shuja’iyya.
The assault has forced a massive humanitarian exodus, with Israeli estimates suggesting approximately 400,000 Palestinians—about 40% of Gaza City’s pre-offensive population have fled their homes. To facilitate evacuations, the Israeli military announced a temporary 48-hour evacuation corridor along Salah al-Din Road on Wednesday, though communications blackouts have severely hampered coordination efforts.
Communications Severed, Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The Israeli Air Force and artillery have conducted over 150 strikes on Gaza City in recent days, destroying several high-rise buildings that Israel claims were Hamas observation posts. The bombardment has also severed critical communications infrastructure, cutting internet and phone services throughout northern Gaza since Wednesday morning.
The Palestinian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority reported that these disruptions have isolated Gaza City residents from the outside world, preventing them from calling for emergency assistance or coordinating safe passage. While the Israeli military stated it is investigating the communications disruption and claimed networks were not deliberately targeted, the blackout has created additional chaos for fleeing civilians.
International Condemnation and Genocide Warnings
The offensive has drawn sharp international criticism, with the United Nations warning of potential widespread violence and bloodshed. Japan’s Foreign Minister issued a statement strongly condemning the operations, stating they “will further aggravate the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including famine”.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar have both strongly criticized the assault, with Qatar describing it as “a conspiracy to genocide Palestinians” carried out under the pretext of targeting Hamas. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has confirmed famine conditions in Gaza City as of August 22, with experts warning the crisis could spread to other areas.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the overall death toll from the conflict has now reached 65,062 Palestinians, with 165,697 injured since the war began on October 7, 2023. Approximately 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced from their homes during the nearly two-year conflict.
