Israel now occupies about 40% of Gaza City, a military spokesperson said Thursday, as intensified bombardment forced more Palestinians to flee their homes. Yet thousands of residents have defied Israeli orders to leave, staying behind amid the ruins in the path of Israel's latest occupation attempt, in grave violation of international law.
Gaza health authorities said Israeli fire across the Palestinian enclave had killed at least 53 people on Thursday, mostly in Gaza City, where Israeli forces have advanced through the outer suburbs and are now a few kilometers (miles) from the city center.
"Today we hold 40% of the territory of Gaza City," Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin told a news conference, naming the Zeitoun and Sheikh Radwan neighborhoods. "The operation will continue to expand and intensify in the coming days."
He suggested that the mission would only end when Israel's remaining hostages are returned and the Palestinian resistance group Hamas's rule ends.
Defrin confirmed that army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir told cabinet ministers that without a day-after plan, they would have to impose military rule in Gaza. Far-right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government have been pushing for Israel to impose military rule in Gaza and establish illegal settlements there, which Netanyahu has so far ruled out.
