Israel Launches Major Ground Offensive Into Gaza City Amid Escalating Conflict

Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 3:45 P.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges: Englebrook Independent News,

GAZA CITY- The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a sweeping ground offensive into Gaza City on Tuesday, signaling a new and more intense phase of the war with Hamas. Israeli officials say the objective is to dismantle Hamas’ military infrastructure and secure the release of Israeli hostages.

     The operation, which began before dawn, combined heavy airstrikes, artillery fire, and naval bombardments before troops advanced into the city’s outskirts. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the campaign as the “main phase” of the war effort, declaring that “Gaza is burning.”

     Residents reported intense explosions and widespread destruction as tanks and infantry moved into northern neighborhoods. The IDF has once again urged civilians to flee southward, but aid agencies report that many remain trapped by bombed-out roads, fuel shortages, and ongoing shelling.

Growing Humanitarian Crisis;

     Local health officials said hospitals are overwhelmed, with staff working around the clock amid dwindling supplies of electricity, medicine, and clean water. Humanitarian groups estimate tens of thousands have been newly displaced, adding to an already catastrophic situation in the enclave.

     Urban warfare experts warn that the risk to civilians is increasing as the fighting moves deeper into Gaza City, where Hamas is believed to still have between 2,000 and 3,000 fighters.

U.S. Diplomatic Pressure;

     U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is deeply engaged in urgent shuttle diplomacy. Rubio, who arrived in Israel earlier this week and is now en route to Qatar, is pressing for the release of all remaining hostages as a first step toward any de-escalation.

“Every hostage must be released at once — not in stages, not in negotiations that drag on for weeks,” Rubio said before departing for Doha. “The United States will continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself, but our message is clear: civilians must be protected, and the hostages must come home.”

 Rubio warned that only a “short window” remains to secure a ceasefire deal and avoid a prolonged urban war. He has urged Qatar to intensify its mediation efforts with Hamas leadership, calling a negotiated solution “the number one choice” for preventing further escalation.

Global Response;

     The United Nations and several humanitarian organizations condemned the scale of Israel’s assault, with the U.N. Secretary-General calling it “morally, politically, and legally intolerable.” Israel has rejected accusations of war crimes, insisting its campaign is focused solely on Hamas’ military targets.

     European governments and Egypt have called for immediate humanitarian corridors to allow food, water, and medical aid into the city. Diplomats warn that unless relief supplies flow freely, the crisis could spiral beyond control.

Uncertain Path Ahead;

     No timeline has been provided for the duration of the offensive. Israeli officials have stated that operations will continue until Hamas’s leadership is neutralized, its tunnel network destroyed, and hostages freed.

     For now, Gaza City remains under relentless bombardment as Israeli forces advance block by block. The outcome of Secretary Rubio’s diplomatic push could prove decisive in determining whether the fighting ends in the coming days — or escalates into an extended siege.