Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing Gaza City after Israel launched a major ground offensive aimed at occupying the city. Footage shared by The Associated Press on Tuesday (16 September) shows congested roads filled with vehicles strapped with mattresses and other belongings as people flee towards the south, which Israel has claimed will be safe from harm. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a "powerful operation" had been launched to "destroy Hamas’ military infrastructure", though would not offer a timeline for the offensive. It comes as a United Nations inquiry found that Israel’s nearly two-year war on Gaza is a genocide.

Some 900,000 remain in the city amid reports that some who fled to al-Mawasi found conditions so dire, they moved back.

As Israel displaces thousands from the north of the enclave, concerns are growing about conditions in the south.