by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff
JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – The long-anticipated Israeli ground invasion of Gaza City erupted late Monday night, with IDF tanks rolling into the heart of the city in what Palestinian sources described as the most intense fighting in northern Gaza in two years.
The operation comes after weeks of escalating Israeli airstrikes that brought down dozens of high-rise buildings and leveled neighborhoods in preparation for the assault. The Jerusalem Post confirmed the start of the invasion, reporting that the campaign marks a major turning point in Israel’s war with Hamas.
Mass Civilian Flight, But Hundreds of Thousands Remain
According to Israeli estimates, more than 300,000 residents have fled south in recent days, though as many as 700,000 civilians remain inside Gaza City. The IDF had hoped for a mass evacuation similar to what occurred in Rafah earlier this year, but tens of thousands continue to shelter in place as heavy bombardments shake the city.
Palestinian media reported a wave of intense airstrikes in the city’s northwestern sector, accompanied by helicopter fire and artillery shelling. Arab outlets said at least four people were killed in a strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp, while others began fleeing once tanks were spotted moving into northern Gaza.
The effects of the assault could be felt across the border: residents in central Israel reported windows shattered in Netivot from the force of explosions. In Sderot, local resident Nir Vaknin said his home shook repeatedly from the blasts. “We are glad to see the beginning of the conquest of Gaza City, but we are deeply worried for the soldiers’ safety and of course for the hostages, whose lives are hanging in the balance,” he said.
Debate Inside Israel’s Defense Establishment
The invasion has stirred controversy both internationally and inside Israel’s defense establishment. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir reportedly opposed the move but chose not to resign after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to proceed. Zamir has instead sought to moderate the offensive to limit risks to Israeli hostages, soldiers, and Palestinian civilians.
Netanyahu has defended the decision, arguing that the ground assault is necessary to deal Hamas a final blow after two years of heavy losses. “Invading Gaza City will further defeat Hamas,” he said in recent remarks.
Trump Warns Hamas Over Hostages
The operation comes amid heightened concern for the fate of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Hamas may have moved the hostages above ground to use as human shields.
“This is a human atrocity, the likes of which few people have ever seen before. Don’t let this happen or, ALL ‘BETS’ ARE OFF. RELEASE ALL HOSTAGES NOW!” Trump wrote.
Netanyahu later thanked Trump for his “unflinching support for Israel’s battle against Hamas and the release of all our hostages.”
Hostage Families Slam Government
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a blistering statement Monday night, warning that the invasion may seal the fate of their loved ones.
“After 710 nights of being held captive by terrorists, tonight could be the final night for hostages who are barely surviving,” the forum said. “Prime Minister Netanyahu bears personal responsibility for the fate of the hostages. The people of Israel will not forgive the sacrifice of the hostages and soldiers. The writing is on the wall.”
Family members of several hostages, including Einav Zangauker, Ofir Braslavski, and Anat Angrest, set out for the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem to protest.
What Comes Next?
The IDF has mobilized three regular divisions to advance into Gaza City from multiple directions. Military planners expect the takeover to take two to three months, though clearing the area of militants, weapons, and underground infrastructure could take longer.
Israel Hayom reported that the IDF hopes the campaign may be interrupted if Hamas agrees to a hostage deal once it realizes its grip on Gaza City is slipping. For now, however, there is no indication such a deal is imminent.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
Israeli officials are preparing to brief President Donald Trump on new military options against Iran when he meets later this month with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid growing concern that Tehran is rapidly rebuilding its ballistic missile program and restoring damaged air defenses, according to an NBC News exclusive citing a person with direct knowledge of the plans and multiple former U.S. officials.
Israel, Greece, and Cyprus have agreed to accelerate a long-discussed regional energy and security partnership, pledging deeper cooperation amid rising instability in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.
The United States has seized another crude oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, marking the second such operation in less than two weeks as President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his government.
Ukraine’s military says it is attempting to halt a Russian incursion into a border village in the northeastern Sumy region, even as diplomatic efforts continue to seek an end to the nearly four-year war.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for “peaceful coexistence” as his nation marked the first anniversary of a deadly car-ramming attack at a Christmas market in eastern Germany that revived a debate about the influx of migrants from mainly Muslim countries.
With Christmas approaching, a Christian worker and his family have fled a brick kiln in Pakistan where they were effectively held in modern-day slavery by their Muslim employer, amid continuing concerns over the safety of Christian girls in the mainly Islamic nation, investigators told Worthy News.
Jerusalem will host a high-level trilateral summit on Monday as Israel, Greece, and Cyprus move to deepen security, energy, and strategic cooperation amid growing concern over Turkey’s expanding military posture in the eastern Mediterranean.