150 strikes in two days: Israel’s war on Gaza City enters a bloodier phase

The Israeli army has launched more than 150 air and artillery strikes on Gaza City over the past two days, in a new escalation of the offensive that has been ongoing for nearly two years in the Gaza Strip.

Israel is intensifying its assault on Gaza

On Wednesday 17 September, the army published photos and videos that it said documented the presence of its forces inside the city, after announcing the start of a ground operation on Tuesday, although local sources and field evidence confirm that no ground incursion has taken place so far. According to these sources, the army is relying on intensified air and artillery bombardment and the use of explosive-laden drones to spread terror among the population and force them to flee.

The army said in a statement that “its forces are deepening their ground maneuver in the city,” noting that the 98th and 162nd divisions are carrying out Operation “Gideon 2.” It said that more than 150 air and artillery strikes had been carried out on the city in two days. It also announced that the operation to take control of Gaza could take several months, despite international warnings of catastrophic consequences.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected several proposals for prisoner exchanges and a ceasefire, drawing criticism from the Israeli opposition and the families of prisoners, who believe he is continuing the war to preserve his position, fearing that his government would collapse if his hardline partners withdrew.

Netanyahu faces an internal trial on corruption charges that could lead to his imprisonment if convicted, while the International Criminal Court is seeking his arrest on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Occupation

On August 8, the Israeli government approved Netanyahu’s plan to occupy the entire Gaza Strip, starting with Gaza City. For weeks, the army has been destroying towers and residential buildings in the city, in a move seen as an attempt to force residents to flee south.

With US support, Israel has continued its war on Gaza since 7 October 2023, which has so far killed 64,964 Palestinians and injured 165,312 others, while the famine caused by the blockade has killed 428 people, including 146 children.

Featured image via the Canary