A fresh ground offensive has been initiated by Israel into Gaza City, with residents being advised to evacuate southward.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the ground operation commenced on Tuesday, aiming to solidify military control over the largest city in the Palestinian territory.

This advance into Gaza City represents a direct continuation of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, a weeks-long campaign in southern and central Gaza that reportedly dismantled Hamas strongholds and paved the way for troops to move northward. The IDF stated that several divisions have commenced their advance as part of an “expanded ground operation” aimed at dismantling Hamas infrastructure, reinforcing previous successes, and penetrating further into the urban area.

This latest assault comes after a week where the Israeli air force reportedly hit over 850 targets within Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of what it characterized as hundreds of Hamas combatants and the destruction of infrastructure intended to hinder a ground invasion. The military asserted that these strikes were designed to weaken Hamas’s defensive capabilities and ready the operational area for incoming forces.

An Israeli military official, who spoke to The Associated Press anonymously due to military protocols, indicated that approximately 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas militants, alongside a tunnel network, are still present in Gaza City.

This offensive signifies a further escalation in the Middle East conflict, with prospects of a ceasefire appearing increasingly remote despite prolonged diplomatic efforts.

Palestinian inhabitants reported intense strikes across Gaza City on Tuesday morning. By midday, Shifa Hospital had admitted the remains of 34 individuals who perished in the attacks, as confirmed by hospital official Dr. Rami Mhanna to The Associated Press. Furthermore, dozens of injured individuals were also brought to the medical facility.

“It was a profoundly difficult night in Gaza,” stated Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiyah, Shifa’s director, to the AP. “The bombardment was relentless, not pausing for even an instant.”

Avichay Adraee, the Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israeli military, issued a warning to residents, declaring Gaza City as currently a “dangerous combat zone.”

“To ensure your safety, evacuate promptly to the designated safe zones, either by vehicle or on foot, utilizing the Al-Rashid corridor situated south of Wadi Gaza,” Adraee urged. “Join the more than 40% of the city’s population who have already relocated to safeguard themselves and their families.”

The IDF estimates that 350,000 individuals have departed Gaza City—approximately one-third of its pre-offensive population. This figure, however, contrasts with a U.N. estimate released on Monday, which indicated that over 220,000 Palestinians have evacuated northern Gaza in the last month, subsequent to Israeli evacuation advisories preceding the operation.

On Tuesday, extensive traffic queues extended along Gaza’s coastal road, featuring vehicles laden with mattresses and personal effects, while others departed on foot.

The IDF announced that several of its frontline divisions have been deployed for this new operational phase.

“Over the last day, IDF forces within the Southern Command, comprising personnel from the 98th, 162nd, and 36th Divisions—both conscripted and reserve—have initiated expanded operations in Gaza City under ‘Operation Gideon’s Chariots II,’” the military statement confirmed.

“The Gaza Division is conducting operations within the security zone adjacent to the border, facing the western Negev communities, and is also active in the Rafah and Khan Yunis regions, concurrently with the 99th Division’s deployment in the northern Gaza Strip.”

Concurrently, the State Department reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a meeting in Doha with Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

Rubio reaffirmed the strong U.S.–Qatar relationship, expressing gratitude to Doha for its contributions toward de-escalating the conflict in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages. He further reiterated America’s steadfast support for Qatar’s security and sovereignty.