On Tuesday, Israel announced that it had launched a major ground offensive in Gaza, defying international condemnation, as thousands of Palestinians fled the city under a barrage of bombings.

The ground invasion began from the outskirts of Gaza, where the Israeli army has intensified airstrikes and the destruction of multi-story buildings over the past week.

Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote: “Gaza is burning,” stressing that the IDF are “striking terrorist infrastructure” and working for the “release of hostages and the defeat of Hamas.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the offensive as a “critical stage” of the war, viewing Gaza as one of Hamas’ last strongholds.

In this context, the Israeli army announced this morning the creation of “a temporary passage” for the evacuation of residents from Gaza City.

“Traffic will be permitted along Salah al-Din road and then south through Wadi Gaza. At this stage the route will be open only for 48 hours, from September 17, 2025 at 12:00 (local time and Greece time) until September 19 at 12:00,” said Arabic-language IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee.

Humanitarian crisis

The UN and humanitarian organizations warn that the offensive will worsen an already dramatic situation, with parts of Gaza officially declared in famine. Nearly one million people live in Gaza and its outskirts, with the Israeli army stating that only 40% have left the area.

On Tuesday, an independent UN investigation concluded that Israel is committing genocide, asserting that Palestinians “have been collectively targeted because of their identity.” Israel “categorically rejected the distorted and false report.”

Images of destruction and testimonies

The bombings left behind destroyed homes and thousands of civilians fleeing. In the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, houses were completely leveled, while residents carried what little remained of their belongings.

“Fear, fear, only fear. Explosions over our heads all day,” said Maisar al-Andwan, a Gaza resident. Rawan al-Salmoni, a mother of four, described thinking she would die: “We told God, we will die here. It is a miracle we survived.”

International reactions to the Israeli operation

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on the international community to stop the invasion: “It is absolutely clear that this slaughter must stop now.”

The Palestinian Authority appealed for global intervention, accusing Israel of “war crimes.” Despite the backlash, the U.S. under the Trump administration openly supports Israel, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating in Jerusalem: “A decisive military operation may ultimately be necessary to eliminate Hamas.”

Canada’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday called Israel’s new ground assault on Gaza “horrific.”

“It worsens the humanitarian crisis and endangers the release of hostages,” the ministry said in a post on X. “The government of Israel must comply with international law.”

Meanwhile, the EU will today consider new sanctions on Israel, according to the European Commission’s spokesperson.

“Tomorrow (i.e. today), the commissioners will approve a package of measures for Israel,” spokesperson Paola Pigno told reporters.

“Specifically, a proposal to suspend certain trade provisions in the EU-Israel agreements.”

The Gaza front

Hamas described the offensive as an “unprecedented barbaric Zionist escalation” that “violates every international rule.” Israel estimates that 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas fighters remain in Gaza, a small number compared to the civilian population, making clearance of the area difficult.

An Israeli military official stated: “Gaza is Hamas’ main stronghold at the moment. I said main, not last.”