Israeli Assault on Gaza City Claims Lives as Tensions Rise

JERUSALEM, Sept 20 – Israel’s military continued its assault on Gaza City and the broader Gaza Strip on Saturday, targeting underground shafts and booby-trapped structures in attacks that resulted in the deaths of at least 60 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza.

The military operation coincided with an announcement that 10 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Britain, and Canada, plan to formally recognize an independent Palestinian state on Monday, ahead of the annual U.N. General Assembly meeting next week.

This intensified military campaign began earlier this week with a focus on high-rise buildings in Gaza City, and has involved significant ground action. Israeli forces currently control the eastern suburbs of Gaza City and have been launching attacks on the Sheikh Radwan and Tel Al-Hawa areas, likely positioning themselves to advance toward central and western parts of the city.

Most of Gaza City’s population is currently seeking shelter in these sections. The Israeli military claims it has destroyed approximately 20 tower blocks in Gaza City over the previous two weeks and estimates that more than 500,000 people have fled the city since early September. However, Hamas, the governing group in Gaza, contests this figure, claiming around 300,000 have left while approximately 900,000 remain, including Israeli hostages.

On the messaging platform Telegram, Hamas’ military wing released an image montage of Israeli hostages, emphasizing that their lives are at risk due to Israel’s ongoing military operations.

Since August 11, it is estimated that the Israeli military has either destroyed or damaged over 1,800 residential buildings in Gaza City and has also destroyed more than 13,000 tents that housed displaced families. The continuing offensive has, according to Gazan authorities, led to more than 65,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread famine, driving many residents to be displaced multiple times.

While Israel asserts that the hunger crisis in Gaza has been overstated and that Hamas is largely to blame, COGAT, the Israeli military branch responsible for overseeing aid in the region, reported that Hamas obstructed U.N. teams and blocked the establishment of a new humanitarian route in southern Gaza.

Hamas has firmly denied these claims, alleging that criminal gangs, protected by Israeli forces, are attacking aid convoys, looting supplies, and causing further suffering.
The U.N. did not immediately respond to requests for comment on these developments.

The current war commenced following Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 fatalities and the taking of 251 hostages. Of these, 48 hostages are currently believed to be in Gaza, with around 20 thought to be alive.