‘Gaza is burning’ – Israel steps up offensive in Gaza Citypublished at 07:25 BST
An explosion in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border on 16 September
Israel has heavily bombed Gaza City overnight, with unconfirmed reports from US news sites CNN and Axios and Israel’s Jerusalem Post saying the military has now launched its ground offensive to occupy the entire city.
Local journalists in Gaza say there have been almost constant Israeli air strikes and artillery and gunfire in Gaza City.
The IDF has already been operating on the ground in Gaza City for several weeks and there’s been no official
confirmation of a new ground incursion from the Israeli military.
Last month Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the
military to capture Gaza City, which he describes as
a stronghold of Hamas, which launched the 7 October attacks on Israel.
This morning Defence minister Israel Katz posted on X, external that “Gaza is
burning,” adding that Israel is striking the “terrorist infrastructure” and fighting for the “release of hostages and defeat of Hamas.”