Israeli forces have intensified their military offensive in Gaza City, killing at least 71 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip since dawn, with 56 fatalities concentrated in the besieged northern enclave. The assault involves sustained bombardment and the use of remotely controlled robots laden with explosives, systematically destroying residential blocks and infrastructure while blanketing the skyline with dense smoke. This escalation has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee southward, exacerbating what the United Nations describes as a "catastrophic humanitarian crisis".
Systematic Destruction
The Israeli military's campaign has targeted high-rise buildings and residential neighborhoods, with satellite imagery confirming widespread demolition in suburbs like Zeitoun, Shejaia, and Sheikh al-Radwan. Reports indicate that over 20 tower blocks have been destroyed in recent weeks, including the 15 story Mushtaha Tower, which housed displaced families and professionals. The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) warns that these actions may constitute ethnic cleansing, aimed at permanently displacing Gaza City's population.
Humanitarian Catastrophe
Gaza City, already grappling with famine, faces intensified suffering as Israel restricts aid access and closes crossings into northern Gaza. UNICEF reports that lifesaving therapeutic food for malnourished children was stolen at gunpoint from its trucks, though Israel blames Hamas without providing evidence. The UN estimates that 90% of Gaza's population has been displaced, with over 65,000 Palestinians killed, mostly civilians since the war began. Hospitals like Shifa are overwhelmed, and families of victims include Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, the hospital director, whose relatives were among those killed in recent strikes.
International Response
The offensive coincides with a growing wave of international recognition of Palestinian statehood, with the UK, France, Canada, Australia, and Portugal set to formalize their stance at the UN General Assembly. The UN has overwhelmingly endorsed a two-state solution, condemning both Hamas' initial attacks and Israel's "genocide" in Gaza, per a recent commission of inquiry. The United States remains isolated, having repeatedly vetoed ceasefire resolutions and now facing criticism for denying visas to Palestinian officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas.
Protests
Worldwide protests demand an end to the violence, with organizers highlighting that Israel is the "number one violent cause of child death on earth." Demonstrations across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East call for arms embargoes and accountability. In Israel, families of hostages accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political gain, condemning his refusal to negotiate their loved ones' release.
A City in Ruins
Gaza City's transformation into a landscape of rubble and smoke reflects a broader strategy of demographic engineering, with Israel's finance minister openly advocating for the population's confinement to a narrow strip near Egypt. As Palestinians vow to remain in their homeland despite the destruction, the international community faces a test of its commitment to justice and humanitarian law.