Israeli forces have stepped up their assault on Gaza City with a wave of heavy air strikes, marking a sharp escalation from previous military operations.
Unlike earlier phases of the war, the current offensive has relied heavily on aerial bombardments, with entire apartment blocks and large concrete structures reduced to rubble.
The intensification of strikes in recent days has triggered a surge in civilian displacement.
Israel has warned all residents of Gaza City to leave immediately in anticipation of a huge ground offensive.
On Saturday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said about 250,000 people had left the city and moved south. It also said it had destroyed a high-rise building that it claimed was used for launching terrorist attacks against its troops.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the city is Hamas’s last major stronghold. The plan to occupy Gaza City has drawn international criticism.
The UN warned that intensifying the offensive in a region already facing famine would push civilians into an even deeper catastrophe.
Gaza City is the largest urban center in the territory and a historic heart of Palestinian political and social life.
Residents report that the Israeli military has been targeting schools and makeshift shelters, often issuing warnings only moments before bombardments.
Many families have been forced to flee in darkness toward western Gaza.
We escaped certain death, my husband, our three children and I, said Saly Tafeesh, a mother. My brother died in my arms after being shot by a quadcopter drone. We ran in the dark to the west of Gaza.
Families are struggling to evacuate, facing costs that can reach up to $1,100 (£800). Hamas continues urging residents to stay and resist leaving the city.
Some residents expressed frustration with Hamas leaders, questioning why they push families to remain amidst violence.
The Israeli military has not yet reached some neighborhoods that have remained largely intact since earlier raids. However, this campaign seems to imply a broader strategy of dismantling entire districts.
