Israel Declares Gaza City ‘Combat Zone,’ Launches Initial Expanded Offensive
GAZA CITY – Israel declared Gaza City a “combat zone” Friday and initiated a broadened military offensive, signaling a meaningful escalation in the conflict with Hamas following weeks of escalating tensions and retaliatory strikes. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the expansion of ground operations, accompanied by intensified aerial bombardments targeting Hamas infrastructure and militant positions within the city.
The move comes after days of warnings to civilians to evacuate northern Gaza, a directive heavily criticized by international organizations who cite the impossibility of safe passage amidst ongoing attacks and the lack of adequate shelter in the south. The IDF maintains the evacuation is intended to minimize civilian casualties as it prepares for a more thorough ground campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas’s capabilities. The conflict has already claimed over 9,000 lives, with more then 4,300 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis killed since Hamas’s October 7th attack, according to respective health authorities.
The escalation marks a pivotal shift in the conflict, moving beyond airstrikes and limited incursions to a full-scale ground offensive within the densely populated Gaza Strip. This growth raises profound concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, where over 2.3 million Palestinians reside, and the potential for a protracted and devastating war. The international community is urgently calling for de-escalation and the protection of civilians, while diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire remain stalled. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed shock and disappointment at the “excessive actions of the officers” but also urged Indonesians to “remain vigilant” and orderly, stating, “In a situation like this, I urge the public to remain calm and to have confidence in the government that I lead.”
