The Israeli army announced that it had carried out more than 150 air and artillery strikes on Gaza City within two days, escalating what has been described as a campaign of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip for nearly two years.
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On Wednesday, the army released documentation of its military assault on the city, including photos and videos claiming to show soldiers inside Gaza City following the launch of its ground operation the previous day.
On Tuesday, the army had declared it had “begun a ground invasion of Gaza City,” though field evidence and local sources denied that any ground incursion had actually taken place.
According to witnesses and sources, the army has intensified artillery and aerial bombardments, as well as demolitions using explosive-laden robots, aimed at terrorizing Palestinians and forcing them into displacement as part of a broader campaign of extermination and expulsion.
In a Wednesday statement, the Israeli army said its forces were “deepening the ground maneuver in the city,” adding that the 98th and 162nd divisions had begun operations in Gaza City under “Operation Gideon’s Chariots 2.” It confirmed more than 150 strikes over the past two days.
Despite international criticism and warnings of catastrophic consequences, the army announced Tuesday that the occupation of Gaza City would take several months.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected multiple proposals accepted by Hamas for prisoner exchanges and ending the war, insisting instead on continuing the campaign of genocide.
Israeli opposition parties and families of captives argue that Netanyahu is prolonging the war to protect his political position, fearing the collapse of his government if the far-right faction opposing an end to the war withdraws.
Domestically, Netanyahu is facing corruption charges that could lead to imprisonment if convicted. Internationally, the International Criminal Court in The Hague has issued a request for his arrest over war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Palestinians in Gaza.
On August 8, the Israeli government approved a plan put forward by Netanyahu to fully occupy the Gaza Strip, beginning with Gaza City.
In recent weeks, the army has been demolishing residential towers and apartment buildings in the city as part of a strategy to force Palestinians to flee southward.
With U.S. support, Israel has been committing acts of genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving 64,964 Palestinians dead and 165,312 injured, while famine has claimed the lives of 428 Palestinians, including 146 children. – (Agencies)
