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Defense spokespersons have announced that Israel has begun its previously warned ground offensive into the crowded districts of the Gaza Strip's main urban area.

Operation Described as "Main" Assault

One military official stated that soldiers had commenced what he referred to as the “main phase” of the operation, with an overnight movement from the outskirts in the direction of the downtown area.

“During the night we began intensifying our operations within the city,” the IDF spokesperson stated. “This is a phased thing. It is not a straightforward thing. But yesterday was a major advance forward … in operations on the ground.”

Integrated Manoeuvre Focusing on Militant Stronghold

“The operation is involves a coordinated and gradual manoeuvre employing precise reconnaissance, air and ground forces targeting Hamas’s primary base and designed to disrupting its grip in this area,” the representative said.

The official added that Israeli troops were expecting to meet substantial resistance from as many as 3,000 armed and associated combatants in Gaza City.

“Many of them, we understand, have been there from the start the conflict and are getting ready to fight with our forces above ground and underground,” he said.

United Nations Accusations and Official Reaction

This military operation was launched on a day when a international committee of humanitarian experts published a report alleging Israel of carrying out atrocities.

“There is evidence that there is an aim to harm the Palestinians in the territory through measures that satisfy the conditions set forth in the international law,” remarked Navi Pillay of the commission.

Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the commission’s report as “biased and untrue”.

Israel Katz, announced in an public statement on online platforms: “The situation is intense. The forces is striking enemy positions with an firm hand.”

“Operations will persist until the goal is completed,” the minister added.

Civilian Testimonies and Warning Instructions

Local residents described a period of severe shelling preceding the offensive was begun.

The IDF believes that 40% of the around 1 million people of Gaza City and its suburbs have so far left after Israeli evacuation orders. Israel urged those remaining to follow and to escape to the south.

An Arabic-language spokesperson for the military, a colonel, declared: “We has begun targeting terrorist facilities in Gaza City.”

“The area is a dangerous war area. Staying in the city puts at risk you,” the official said on online.

Leadership Statements

The prime minister, announced on Tuesday that “a major operation in the territory” had begun overnight, stating that “The country is at a crucial stage.”

He was addressing at a session of his corruption trial in a Tel Aviv court and cited the military action as an argument why he could not participate in long or frequent court meetings.

Opponents have consistently claimed that he has prolonged the hostilities to put off elections, stay in office and thereby preserve his protection from prosecution.

Diplomatic Support

The offensive was initiated in the follow-up of a two-day visit from the US secretary of state, the representative, who had promised “full” American support for Israel.

Following what has been interpreted in the country as a international backing for the operation, Donald Trump posted on his social media platform on Monday night to share an unconfirmed report that Hamas had transferred several of the approximately 20 surviving hostage individuals to the surface to serve as shields.

Trump told the group: “Cease these actions or, ALL ‘BETS’ ARE OFF.”