Overnight advance aimed at ‘dismantling Hamas’s grip’ as Israel accused of genocide in UN human rights report
Middle East crisis – live updates
Israel has launched its long-threatened ground offensive into the densely packed streets of Gaza City, military officials have confirmed.
One Israel Defense Forces (IDF) official said that troops had begun what he called the “main phase” of the offensive, with an overnight advance from the outskirts towards the city centre.
“Last night we began deepening our operations deeper into Gaza City,” the IDF official said. “It’s a gradual thing. It is not a black or white thing. But yesterday was a big step forward … in operations on the ground.”
