Israeli Forces Intensify Attacks on Gaza City Amid Plans for Offensive

In recent days, the suburbs of Gaza City have come under heavy assault from Israeli forces using both ground and air strikes. This intense bombardment has devastated numerous homes and compelled many families to evacuate towards the western areas of the city. Residents of Sheikh Radwan, one of the main neighborhoods affected, reported continued shelling and airstrikes throughout the weekend, forcing them into hiding.

The Israeli military's offensive has gradually increased over the past three weeks, with operations ramping up after temporary pauses that previously allowed humanitarian aid to flow into the region. The military has now labeled Gaza City as a "dangerous combat zone," significantly restricting access to aid. Local resident Rezik Salah expressed fear for his family, describing how the escalating military activity is pushing civilians out of their shelters, as the area is bombarded from multiple angles.

Local health authorities reported that at least 30 individuals were killed on Sunday, including 13 people who were near an aid distribution site in central Gaza. Despite these claims, the Israeli military stated it was unaware of any casualties occurring near humanitarian sites. The response from Israeli officials indicates that Prime Minister Netanyahu's security cabinet will convene to plan the future offensive targeting Gaza City, which he regards as the final stronghold of Hamas. However, a full-scale ground operation may not commence for several weeks, as Israel aims to first evacuate civilians from the area before deploying more ground troops.