The Israeli Army Invades Gaza on the Ground Amid Intense Bombardment and Mass Displacement

In a serious development on the Palestinian front, the Israeli government announced this morning, Tuesday, the start of an escalating military operation inside the Gaza Strip, coinciding with the incursion of Israeli army tanks across the border fence with the city, amid intensive aerial and artillery bombardment that left columns of thick smoke rising in the sky over the strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed in an official statement that "the army has entered the decisive phase in Gaza," announcing the launch of what he described as the "main ground operation" against what he considered a heavy presence of fighters from Hamas inside the city of Gaza.

According to reports from the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, two divisions of the Israeli army began advancing on the ground towards the outskirts of the city of Gaza since yesterday, Monday, while the Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana confirmed in simultaneous statements that "the ground attack on Gaza has officially begun."

Despite the intensity of the bombardment, journalists on the ground reported that the Israeli advance remains limited and confined to the outskirts of the city, where forces have concentrated in the Zeitoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza, near the Barazi area behind the "Sta" factory, in addition to positions near Sheikh Radwan Pool to the north.

For his part, the spokesperson for the Israeli army Avichai Adraee described the city of Gaza as a "dangerous combat zone," urging residents to evacuate the city immediately and move to the southern Gaza Valley via Al-Rasheed Street, either by vehicles or on foot.

According to estimates by the Israeli army, about 40% of the residents of the city of Gaza have already been displaced in fear of the bombardment and clashes.

In contrast, journalists have warned of an unprecedented deterioration in the humanitarian situation, with medical and relief services reaching their lowest levels due to the ongoing bombardment and scarcity of supplies.

Witnesses described the scene as "catastrophic and tragic," as families are displaced amidst the rubble and under heavy fire.

The "Al Arabiya" channel broadcast scenes showing violent explosions in the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood and widespread destruction of buildings in the southern sands area, with thick smoke rising due to violent explosions carried out by Israeli forces.

For its part, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it described as "brutal Israeli aggression," calling for urgent international intervention to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip, warning of an escalation that would lead to catastrophic results for the besieged population.

These developments come just a month after the Israeli government approved a plan for full control over the city of Gaza, a plan that faced opposition from some Israeli military leaders, as well as condemnation from the United Nations and the international community, which considered that the ground invasion would complicate the situation further and exacerbate the humanitarian disaster in the strip.