IDF Expands Ground Offensive in Gaza City Amid Fierce Urban Battles

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have expanded their ground campaign inside Gaza City, marking one of the most intense phases of the ongoing conflict. Tanks, armored vehicles, and explosive-laden platforms have pushed deeper into the city, with Israeli commanders claiming significant progress against Hamas infrastructure.

Multi-Axis Advance

According to military officials, Israeli troops are advancing from at least three main directions, pressing further into densely populated areas. The IDF reports targeting Hamas command centers, weapons depots, and underground tunnel systems, describing the offensive as critical to weakening the group’s operational capacity.

In recent days, heavy gunfire, artillery strikes, and air support have been reported across Gaza City, with battles concentrated in the northern and central districts. The operation comes after weeks of bombardments designed to soften Hamas defenses before troops moved in.

Evacuation Corridor Opened

In an effort to reduce civilian casualties, the IDF opened a 48-hour evacuation corridor via Salahudin Road, urging residents to leave combat zones. Thousands have attempted to flee, though humanitarian groups warn that many remain trapped in western and central neighborhoods due to damaged infrastructure, lack of transport, or fear of leaving their homes.

Despite these efforts, communications blackouts and ongoing bombardments have made evacuations extremely difficult. Aid agencies emphasize that even designated “safe routes” remain perilous, with reports of shelling near civilian convoys.

Mounting Humanitarian Toll

The humanitarian situation in Gaza City continues to deteriorate rapidly. According to local health authorities, civilian casualties are mounting, with hospitals overwhelmed and basic supplies like food, water, and fuel in critical shortage. The death toll has already surpassed 65,000, highlighting the devastating impact of urban combat.

International organizations are pressing Israel to expand safe zones and ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, while warning that the city faces a looming humanitarian disaster if aid corridors are not secured.

Israeli Objectives vs. Global Criticism

The IDF maintains that the operation is essential to eliminate Hamas’s military capabilities and rescue hostages believed to be held in Gaza. Military officials argue that the campaign is being conducted with measures to minimize civilian harm, pointing to the establishment of evacuation windows and targeted strikes.

However, critics—including international humanitarian groups and foreign governments—have condemned the scale of destruction, accusing Israel of violating international humanitarian law. They warn that the offensive risks displacing hundreds of thousands more civilians and worsening an already dire crisis.

The Bigger Picture

The expansion of ground activity in Gaza City marks a turning point in the conflict, pushing combat into one of the most densely populated urban centers in the region. With Israel determined to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure and international pressure mounting for a ceasefire, the coming weeks will be pivotal in shaping both the military outcome and the humanitarian legacy of this war.