Israeli Army Begins Major Ground Attack on Gaza City

  Photo:AFP

The military conflict in Gaza has entered one of its most dangerous phases. After weeks of airstrikes, artillery shells, and mounting civilian losses, the Israeli army has begun a large ground offensive inside Gaza City. Tanks have been spotted rolling into crowded neighborhoods, backed by infantry units, drones, and intense artillery fire. At first glance, this may seem like a calculated military move—a step meant to weaken Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza. But the broader consequences tell a much harder story, one that involves thousands of innocent men, women, and children caught in the middle.

A New Chapter in a Long Conflict

For decades, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict has been marked by periodic violence, failed peace talks, and layers of distrust on both sides. The latest offensive represents a sharp escalation. Unlike past airstrikes limited to targeted sites, this time Israeli forces are physically moving into Gaza’s core. It signals not just an attempt to dismantle Hamas’s military capability but also hints at a possible reoccupation of areas inside the territory.

Israel’s leaders argue that their hand has been forced. They describe the ground operation as the “final stage” of efforts to neutralize Hamas rocket attacks and cross-border raids. By taking Gaza City—Hamas’s main political and military hub—Israeli officials believe they can end the constant threat facing southern Israeli towns.

But history raises doubts. Previous operations in Gaza have shown that even large-scale invasions often result in heavy casualties without producing lasting peace. The cycle of attack and counterattack tends to resume soon after, leaving citizens on both sides living under constant uncertainty.

The Humanitarian Burden

While military planners speak in terms of “targets,” “strongholds,” and “security corridors,” the reality on the ground is starkly different. Gaza City is densely populated, with over half a million people packed into small neighborhoods. When tanks roll across streets and artillery shells strike urban blocks, the human toll is unavoidable.

Doctors have warned that hospitals are overwhelmed. Many clinics have run out of essential medical supplies like anesthesia, blood bags, and surgical equipment. Families describe living without electricity or clean water, trying to keep children calm while explosions rumble outside. International aid groups call the situation catastrophic, warning that Gaza is sliding toward irreparable humanitarian collapse.

The core question for the world is whether military objectives can ever justify this level of civilian suffering. Even if Hamas uses urban areas as shields, punishing an entire population leaves scars that last for generations.

The Regional Impact

The ground offensive does not affect Gaza alone. The wider Middle East watches closely, and every move resonates far beyond these narrow streets. Egypt fears destabilization along its border, where desperate civilians may seek refuge. Jordan and Lebanon express anger at rising civilian deaths, while tensions in the West Bank threaten to spill over into unrest.

Global powers, too, are under pressure to act. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has repeated support for Israel’s right to defend itself but has also urged “restraint.” European leaders call for humanitarian pauses to allow aid to flow into Gaza. Meanwhile, international legal experts debate whether the offensive could cross into violations of humanitarian law.

What This Means for Israel

Militarily, Israel presents the offensive as an act of necessity. However, whether it yields long-term security remains unclear. By entering Gaza’s dense neighborhoods, Israel risks getting locked in a prolonged and bloody urban battle. The soldiers involved face danger from ambushes, hidden explosives, and tunnel networks that Hamas has spent years perfecting.

Politically, Israel’s actions may isolate it further on the world stage. Images of destroyed apartment blocks and injured children travel quickly across global media. Such images not only damage Israel’s reputation but could also deepen the cycle of radicalization, convincing younger generations of Palestinians that violence is the only response to oppression.

The Palestinian Struggle

For Palestinians in Gaza, the ground offensive is just the latest chapter in an ongoing tragedy. Families already displaced from previous wars find themselves on the move once more, with nowhere safe to go. Some have fled south in search of shelter, but humanitarian aid is thin and borders remain closed.

Palestinian officials say that the offensive is nothing less than an assault on their people’s right to live with dignity. They argue that Gaza has been under siege for years, with restricted access to goods, electricity, and mobility. The ground invasion, they claim, now threatens to erase entire communities.

The World’s Role

Silence or inaction from the international community helps prolong this cycle. Every escalation in Gaza is followed by statements of “concern” but little else that forces accountability. A serious review of mediation efforts is desperately needed. Peace cannot come only from military victories. It comes from addressing core grievances—security for Israelis, freedom and dignity for Palestinians.

Global institutions like the United Nations must play a stronger role in pushing for immediate ceasefires and ensuring compliance with international law. Aid needs urgent protection, and civilians must be given safe corridors to escape fighting. Without such steps, the region risks slipping further into chaos.