Israeli Ground Forces Expand Operations in Gaza, Residents Warned to Move South

The Israeli military has announced that it is expanding its ground operations in Gaza as part of its ongoing conflict with Hamas. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), stated that the military was "acting with great force... to achieve the objectives of the war." The IDF has warned residents of Gaza City to move south as the ground operations escalate.

Overnight, Israeli fighter jets launched strikes on 150 underground targets in the northern Gaza Strip, including terror tunnels, underground combat spaces, and other infrastructure. Several Hamas members were killed in the attacks. Hamas has reported clashes between its fighters and Israeli troops in the town of Beit Hanoun and in the central area of al Bureij. The group has vowed to confront Israel's aggression and frustrate its incursions.

In addition to the airstrikes and ground operations, the IDF has killed the head of Hamas' aerial wing, who was responsible for planning the 7 October attack and the paragliders that flew across the border. The IDF has also carried out raids into Gaza, including a naval operation. The troops used vessels to attack Hamas military infrastructure along the coast in the southern Gaza Strip. Hamas has disputed the IDF's version of events and claimed to have repelled the raiders.

Israel has amassed a large number of troops along the border with Gaza, indicating its intention to carry out a ground invasion. However, the IDF is likely to start with moving tanks and armored vehicles across the border before launching a full-scale offensive. Military analysts suggest that the IDF will gradually ramp up its operations to de-risk the invasion. The challenge lies in the urban battle on foot, particularly clearing Gaza City and the tunnels, which is expected to be extremely dangerous.

Israel has not officially announced the ground invasion, as it hopes to maintain an element of surprise. However, there are concerns about the potential humanitarian catastrophe and the risk of a widening of the conflict triggering a regional war. Jordan's foreign minister accused Israel of launching a ground war on Gaza and called for a humanitarian ceasefire. The UN General Assembly approved a resolution calling for a ceasefire, but it does not force any action on either Israel or Hamas.

The IDF has accused Hamas of launching attacks from hospitals in Gaza, claiming to have concrete evidence that Hamas fighters have used hospitals as hideouts. Israeli officials stated that hospitals could lose their protection from attack if they continue to be used for terror purposes. A doctor working in Gaza dismissed these claims as outlandish excuses to target hospitals and emphasized that targeting any hospital is a war crime.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in a high number of casualties on both sides. Gaza authorities report that over 7,300 Palestinians have been killed, including over 3,000 children and 1,500 women. Israel has reported over 1,400 deaths, mostly civilians, as a result of the initial Hamas attack. Hamas is currently holding at least 229 captives, including women, children, and the elderly, according to the Israeli government. More than one million people in Gaza have been displaced, following Israeli orders to evacuate to the south.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening by the hour. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has sent trucks carrying medical and water purification supplies, but it is not enough to alleviate the crisis. The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has warned that public services in Gaza are collapsing rapidly due to fuel and food shortages. The international community has been criticized for turning its back on Gaza, and there are calls for Israel to allow more aid into the region.