The reported entry of Israeli tanks followed Gazan reports of heavy aerial assaults and artillery fire on the city and its outskirts on Monday evening.
(photo credit: Tsafrir Abayov/Flash90)
The IDF invasion of Gaza City erupted late Monday night, The Jerusalem Post can confirm.
Palestinian reports said that IDF tanks had entered the heart of the city in scenes and levels of war not seen in northern Gaza in possibly two years.
After weeks of increasing air force strikes on Gaza City, including bringing down an increasing number of tall multi-story buildings, it seems the IDF has finally reached the tipping point for a larger scale ground invasion.
As of earlier Monday, an estimated more than 300,000 Gazans had fled Gaza City going southward, but around 700,000 remained.
The IDF was hoping that, like in Rafah, most of the Gazan civilians would flee once Israeli ground forces truly started to penetrate the city.
IDF tanks enter heart of Gaza City
The invasion of Gaza City is controversial globally and also within the defense establishment, with most security officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir opposing the move.
However, Zamir has declined to resign after being ordered to go forward with the invasion by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seemingly rationalizing that he can moderate the attack and its impact on Israeli hostages, Israeli soldiers, and Palestinian civilians.
Netanyahu has said that invading Gaza City will further defeat Hamas beyond the heavy defeats the terror group has suffered over two years.
‘The writing is on the wall’
In a post to Truth Social, US President Donald Trump also acknowledged the danger the hostages are in.
“I have just read a News Report that Hamas has moved the hostages above ground to use them as human shields against Israel’s ground offensive. I hope the Leaders of Hamas know what they’re getting into if they do such a thing.
“This is a human atrocity, the likes of which few people have ever seen before. Don’t let this happen or, ALL “BETS” ARE OFF. RELEASE ALL HOSTAGES NOW!”
Netanyahu later thanked Trump for his “unflinching support for Israel’s battle against Hamas and the release of all our hostages.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters slammed the decision to intensify military action in Gaza City in a late Monday night statement.
“After 710 nights of being held captive by terrorists, tonight could be the final night for hostages who are barely surviving, and our last chance to locate and recover the deceased for dignified burial,” the statement read.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu bears personal responsibility for the fate of the hostages. The people of Israel will not forgive the sacrifice of the hostages and soldiers. The writing is on the wall.”
Families of hostages, including Einav Zangauker, Ofir Braslavski, and Anat Angrest, are currently en route to the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem, the forum added.
As reported by The Jerusalem Post