ISRAEL has launched a fresh ground offensive to occupy Gaza City in its latest bid to root out Hamas and eliminate the terror group once and for all.
The Israeli military announced the start of the operation while also warning the million Palestinians still stuck in the tiny region to move to “humanitarian areas”.
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The new offensive, as reported by Axios, marks a major escalation in the brutal almost-two-year-long war.
It also follows recent weeks of increased airstrikes on Gaza City, targeting what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say are Hamas strongholds.
Dramatic pictures have shown flattened buildings and decimated high-rise apartments following the strikes.
The IDF say 300,000 Palestinians have left Gaza City so far – but called on the hundreds of thousands left to also flee.
International concerns for the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza strip are continuing to pile pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu as he aims to wipe out Hamas and retrieve the hostages.
The latest development is expected to increase the death toll – with tanks entering the city late on Monday following following a barrage of targeted strikes earlier in the day.
Amid reports of the latest assault, Donald Trump claimed Hamas were moving hostages above ground “to use them as human shields”.
He said on Truth Social: “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.”
He warned: “Don’t let this happen or, ALL ‘BETS’ ARE OFF. RELEASE ALL HOSTAGES NOW!”
In response, Netayahu thanked Trump for his “unflinching support for Israel’s battle against Hamas and the release of all our hostages”.
Some 65,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed since Israel’s offensive began, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
The gruelling war was sparked by Hamas’ infamous October 7 attack in 2023.
Although Netanyahu authorised Monday’s operation, he was advised against it by several top aides in the IDF and Mossad.
They warned it may endanger the lives of hostages, lead to direct military rule over Gaza’s two million residents, or even fail to dismantle Hamas.
The fresh assault began hours after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Netanyahu to discuss the ongoing war.
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Rubio said: “We have to remember who we’re dealing with here – and that is a group of people that have dedicated their lives to violence and barbarism.”
The diplomat reportedly told The Israeli PM that Trump supports the ground offensive, but wants it to end as soon as possible, officials told Axios.
There are believed to be 20 hostages left under Hamas’ control in Gaza City.
Last week, Netanyahu warned any nations harbouring terrorists: “Expel them or bring them to justice.”
Hitting out at countries condemning Israel for the high-risk attack on Doha, Qatar, he blasted: “They should be ashamed of themselves.”
The strike on a US ally which had been mediating Gaza peace talks raised fears conflict could spread across the Middle East and derail ceasefire discussions.
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