GAZA: Israel pushed tanks deeper into Gaza City on Monday, detonating explosives-laden vehicles in one suburb as airstrikes killed at least 19 people, Palestinian officials and witnesses said.
The president of the International Association of Genocide Scholars said the body had passed a resolution declaring that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal criteria for genocide. Israel did not immediately respond to the group’s statement, but has previously denied committing genocide.
Israel is advancing a plan to seize full control of Gaza, starting with Gaza City, with the stated goal of destroying Hamas and rescuing the remaining 48 hostages after nearly two years of war.
Residents said Israeli forces sent old armoured vehicles into the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, then detonated them remotely, destroying houses and forcing families to flee. Leaflets dropped over the city urged residents to head south, warning of expanded operations.
“People are confused – stay and die, or leave towards nowhere,” said resident Mohammad Abu Abdallah, 55. “Explosions never stopped. Drones hovered all night. Many left their homes fearing death, others don’t know where to go.”
The Gaza health ministry said at least 98 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours, while nine more people – including three children – died from malnutrition and starvation, raising such deaths to at least 348, including 127 children. Israel disputes the figures, arguing the deaths are due to other medical causes.
Local officials said 19 people, including women and children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on houses in Gaza City. The Israeli military did not immediately comment.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet late Sunday to discuss the planned offensive on Gaza City, described as Hamas’s bastion. The military has warned political leaders the operation could endanger remaining hostages.
Protests in Israel demanding an end to the war and the hostages’ release have intensified.
The conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Twenty of the remaining 48 hostages are believed to be alive.
Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 63,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to local health officials, and devastated much of the enclave. Ceasefire talks collapsed in July and efforts to revive them have failed.
