Israeli Ground Forces Launch Full-Scale Invasion into Southern Gaza

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israeli ground forces have entered southern Gaza after three days of relentless bombardment.

Reports from Israeli army radio and verified images indicate a significant ground operation to the north of Khan Younis, a city in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

Lt General Herzi Halevi, the head of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), addressed reservists from the Gaza division, revealing that the IDF was engaged in intense fighting in both northern and southern Gaza.

The military objectives discussed included the targeting of Hamas commanders, underlining the gravity of the situation.

As part of the offensive, evacuation orders were issued for several districts of Khan Younis, urging residents to leave immediately. Israeli authorities suspect that key members of the Hamas leadership are hiding in the city, which has become a refuge for hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the conflict.

The focus of the Israeli military’s offensive has shifted to the south, causing a “warzone” scenario at Nasser Medical Hospital in Khan Younis, according to a UN official. Reports from the hospital describe a degree of panic not witnessed before, with children arriving with severe injuries from recent blasts.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached unprecedented levels, with over 500 reported casualties since the resumption of bombing. The total death toll in the strip has surpassed 15,500 since the conflict began, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

International voices are expressing deep concern, and a UN human rights chief warns that Palestinians in Gaza are being pushed further into a narrow corner of an already constrained territory. Israel contends that it is making “maximum effort” to avoid civilian casualties, citing the challenge of Hamas embedding its military infrastructure in civilian neighborhoods.

As the conflict intensifies, the IDF has begun posting maps of areas set to be attacked, using various means such as phone calls and leaflets to warn civilians to evacuate. The situation remains dire, with the world watching and hoping for a swift resolution to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of the civilian population caught in the crossfire.