Israel's army begins its floor offensive in Gaza Metropolis

[ad_1] JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli army started its ground offensive in Gaza City on Tuesday, slowly closing in on the Palestinian territory’s largest metropolis, the place block after block has already been destroyed within the Israel-Hamas conflict. 1000's of individuals streamed out in automobiles laden with their belongings, however lots of of 1000's extra stay.

The operation marks one more escalation in a conflict that has roiled the Middle East for almost two years and sure pushes any ceasefire farther out of attain. The army wouldn’t supply a timeline for the offensive, which it says goals to “destroy Hamas’ army infrastructure,” however Israeli media prompt it may take months.

It started the identical day that unbiased consultants commissioned by the United Nations’ Human Rights Council accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Israel fiercely rejected the allegation, calling the consultants’ report “distorted and false.”

Israeli Protection Minister Israel Katz declared that “Gaza is burning” because the operation started, and heavy bombardment battered town in a single day and into the morning.

Lengthy traces of automobiles and vehicles strapped with mattresses and different belongings stretched down Gaza’s coastal street, as folks fled town. Some crowded on prime of automobiles, whereas others made their means on foot.

On a quick go to to the area, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that there was a “very quick window of time during which a deal can occur” to finish the conflict.

Depth of strikes in Gaza Metropolis grows An Israeli army official, talking on situation of anonymity consistent with army tips, mentioned that the “important part” of the Gaza Metropolis operation had begun, with troops shifting in from town’s outskirts towards its heart. Airstrikes have pounded Gaza Metropolis for a while within the leadup to the operation, flattening towers within the metropolis.

The official mentioned the Israeli army believes there are roughly 2,000 to three,000 Hamas militants left in Gaza Metropolis, in addition to tunnels utilized by the militant group. Hamas’ army capabilities have been vastly diminished over almost two years of conflict, and these days it primarily carries out guerrilla-style attacks , with small teams of fighters planting explosives or attacking army outposts earlier than melting away.

An estimated 1 million Palestinians had been residing within the Gaza Metropolis area earlier than warnings to evacuate started forward of the offensive, and the Israeli army estimates 350,000 folks have left town.

A U.N. estimate on Monday, nevertheless, mentioned that over 220,000 Palestinians have fled northern Gaza over the previous month.

By the top of the present operation, an Israeli army graphic prompt its troops hope to manage all the Gaza Strip apart from a big swath alongside the coast.

At the least 69 Palestinians killed in Gaza Metropolis Palestinian residents reported heavy strikes throughout Gaza Metropolis on Tuesday morning, with hospitals within the metropolis saying there have been no less than 69 deaths.

Displaced Palestinians flee northern Gaza by foot and in automobiles, carrying their belongings alongside the coastal street towards southern Gaza, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photograph/Abdel Kareem Hana)

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Shifa Hospital obtained the our bodies of 49 folks, together with 22 kids, based on Dr. Rami Mhanna, a hospital official, who mentioned dozens of wounded had additionally come into the power. Al-Ahli Hospital obtained 17 our bodies, and Al-Quds three.

“A really powerful evening in Gaza,” Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, Shifa’s director, instructed The Related Press. “The bombing didn't cease for a single second.”

A number of ladies gathered on the hospital’s morgue, the place AP footage confirmed many lifeless in physique baggage.

“How lengthy will we stay like this? We’ve had sufficient,” mentioned one of many ladies, who recognized herself as Um Ahmed Zaqout. “Throw us into any nation. Sufficient of this torture right here.”

The Israeli army didn't instantly reply to requests for touch upon the lethal strikes however prior to now has accused Hamas of constructing army infrastructure inside civilian areas, particularly in Gaza Metropolis.

The conflict in Gaza started when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing round 1,200 folks, largely civilians, and abducting 251. Forty-eight hostages, fewer than half believed to be alive, stay in Gaza.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed no less than 64,900 Palestinians, based on Gaza’s Well being Ministry, which doesn’t say what number of had been civilians or combatants. The ministry, which is a part of the Hamas-run authorities and staffed by medical professionals, says ladies and kids make up round half the lifeless.

Households of hostages beg Netanyahu to halt the operation In a single day, households of the hostages nonetheless being held in Gaza gathered outdoors of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, pleading with him to cease the Gaza Metropolis operation.

Some pitched tents and slept outdoors his dwelling in protest.

“I've one curiosity — for this nation to get up and convey again my little one together with 47 different hostages, each residing and deceased, and to convey our troopers dwelling,” Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is being held in Gaza, shouted outdoors Netanyahu’s residence.

“If he stops at nothing and sends our valuable, courageous, heroic troopers to battle whereas our hostages are getting used as human shields — he's not a worthy prime minister,” Zangauker.

Israel believes round 20 of the hostages, together with Matan, are alive. Hamas has mentioned it'll solely free remaining hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners, a long-lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

On a go to to Israel, Rubio prompt that there would possibly nonetheless be time for a negotiated finish the conflict.

“Sooner or later, this has to finish. Sooner or later, Hamas must be defanged, and we hope it will possibly occur by way of a negotiation,” he mentioned. “However I feel time, sadly, is working out.”

He continued on to Qatar, the place he met with its ruling emir. Qatar is incensed over an Israeli strike last week that killed five Hamas members and a neighborhood safety official.

Rubio thanked Qatar, which has been a key negotiator in efforts to achieve a ceasefire, for taking part in that function, based on a press release from his workplace, which didn't immediately acknowledge the Israeli strike. He additionally highlighted the nations’ shut ties.

Arab and Muslim nations denounced the strike at a summit Monday however stopped wanting any main motion concentrating on Israel, highlighting the problem of pressuring Israel into altering course.

Egypt escalates its rhetoric in opposition to Israel

An Israeli military flare drifts over buildings destroyed through the Israeli floor and air operations within the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. (AP Photograph/Leo Correa)

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Egypt, which has had a peace cope with Israel for many years and has additionally served as a mediator within the conflict in Gaza, seems to be dropping its endurance with Israel.

Egypt’s president, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, described Israel as “an enemy” in a fiery speech on the Qatar summit Monday. It was the primary time an Egyptian chief used the time period because the two nations established diplomatic ties in 1979, mentioned Diaa Rashwan, head of Egyptian authorities’s State Info Service.

Qatar’s emir additionally used unusually robust language to denounce Israel on the summit.

Egypt was the primary Arab nation to determine ties with Israel and their peace treaty is seen as a cornerstone for stability within the unstable area.

“Egypt is being threatened,” Rashwan instructed the state-run Further Information tv late Monday.

El-Sissi’s “enemy” remark performed prominently throughout Egyptian newspapers’ entrance pages on Tuesday and whereas Cairo has taken no steps to alter its standing with Israel, the Egyptian authorities seemingly is making an attempt to sign simply how severely it takes Israel’s current actions.

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Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Magdy from Cairo. Related Press writers Matthew Lee in Munich, Germany, and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

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