Gaza City | September 18, 2025
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza entered a deadlier phase on Thursday as heavy bombardments and ground assaults intensified, leaving swathes of residential neighbourhoods in Gaza City reduced to rubble.
Local sources and humanitarian groups confirmed that entire housing blocks were flattened overnight, forcing thousands of civilians to flee in search of safety amid what observers describe as one of the most relentless phases of the war. The bombardments, which have been ongoing for weeks, have severely compounded the humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.
Palestinian health authorities reported fresh casualties, with dozens killed and many more injured as airstrikes struck densely populated areas. Emergency responders continue to struggle to reach survivors trapped beneath debris, while shortages of fuel, food, and medical supplies further strain hospitals already operating at critical capacity.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said the operations were aimed at eliminating Hamas strongholds and preventing rocket fire into Israeli territory. However, rights groups and international observers have condemned the scale of destruction, warning that the targeting of civilian neighbourhoods could amount to war crimes.
Gaza City, once the commercial hub of the territory, has now become the epicentre of destruction, with families displaced multiple times and shelters overwhelmed. United Nations agencies estimate that more than half of Gaza’s population has been uprooted since the conflict escalated, with limited access to humanitarian corridors.
Diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire have stalled, as Israel insists on dismantling Hamas’ military infrastructure, while Palestinian representatives demand an end to the blockade and international guarantees for civilian protection.
With the conflict showing no signs of easing, global attention remains fixated on the mounting civilian toll and the growing calls for international intervention to halt the crisis.
