In a strategic military move, the Israeli Defense Forces have effectively encircled Gaza City following more than a week of intense conflict. This siege has the practical effect of dividing the Gaza Strip into two separate areas. The operation, which unfolded under the cover of extensive aerial bombardments from air, land, and sea, was accompanied by a blackout in communications.
The most recent airstrikes, executed on Sunday, were the most severe to hit the region since the outbreak of the conflict. The precise targets within the heart of Gaza City were not immediately clear, as massive plumes of fire and smoke billowed into the night sky.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari described the situation as having transformed Gaza into “north Gaza and south Gaza,” emphasizing the significant stage this marks in Israel’s ongoing conflict with the Hamas militant group, which governs the territory. Reports from Israeli media suggest that a large-scale incursion into Gaza City by Israeli troops is expected within the next 48 hours.
As the military maneuvers progress, there is growing speculation about the nature of the urban warfare that may unfold within the streets of Gaza City. There are suggestions that the Israel Defense Forces will seek to avoid protracted engagements within Hamas’s intricate tunnel system.
During a press briefing on Monday, IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht conveyed the military’s efforts to maintain humanitarian corridors for the safe evacuation of civilians to the southern part of the territory. However, he also acknowledged that if Hamas were suspected of using these routes, the IDF would not hesitate to respond.
Furthermore, Lt. Col. Hecht echoed previous statements by senior IDF commanders regarding Hamas’s alleged use of medical infrastructure, including Gaza City’s Dar al-Shifa, Indonesian, and Qatari hospitals, for concealing militants and launching rocket attacks. When asked if Israel was treating hospitals as military targets, Lt. Col. Hecht replied, “This is one of our biggest challenges. We haven’t struck any hospitals yet. When it comes, we will discuss it.”
The tightened encirclement of Gaza City coincides with reports that the United States has signaled its readiness to intervene militarily if Iran and Hezbollah were to support Hamas by launching attacks against Israel. The U.S. has announced the deployment of an Ohio-class guided missile-carrying submarine to the region.
This escalating conflict is not without broader implications, and diplomatic efforts are intensifying. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Ankara for discussions with the Turkish foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, as part of ongoing efforts to secure a humanitarian ceasefire. However, the situation remains complex, with regional powers expressing diverse viewpoints on the crisis.
The ongoing hostilities have taken a devastating toll on Gaza’s population. The Hamas-run health ministry reports a tragic toll of over 9,770 lives lost in more than four weeks of war. Access to basic necessities, such as food, clean water, and medical care, remains a pressing concern for civilians in Gaza.
In the midst of this humanitarian crisis, Jordan’s military has provided crucial medical aid to a field hospital in Gaza. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has expressed deep concern over connectivity outages in Gaza, which hinder the ability of people in need to reach hospitals and ambulances.
This joint statement by the heads of major UN humanitarian agencies and international charities calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the dire conditions faced by the population and condemning the loss of civilian lives.
The situation continues to evolve rapidly, with global leaders and international organizations seeking a resolution to the crisis while grappling with the complex and challenging dynamics of the conflict.
