Israel Launches Ground Offensive in Gaza City, Prompting Mass Evacuations

Israel began a large-scale ground offensive in Gaza City overnight on September 16, 2025, following weeks of escalating military operations and warnings to residents to evacuate. The Israeli military announced the opening of a temporary evacuation route via Salah Al-Din Street, urging civilians to leave the city within a 48-hour window as tanks and troops advanced toward the city center. The operation comes amid international condemnation and growing concern for the safety of civilians, with the United Nations and humanitarian organizations warning of catastrophic consequences for those unable to escape.

Mass Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis

According to the United Nations and local sources, the offensive has triggered a new wave of mass displacement, with nearly 70,000 people fleeing south in recent days and a total of 150,000 movements recorded over the past month. The only available evacuation route, Al-Rashid Road, has become severely congested, and many families are forced to walk for hours under dangerous conditions. UNICEF described the situation as "inhumane," highlighting that nearly half a million children in Gaza are now at risk, with acute malnutrition and famine confirmed in parts of the city. Makeshift camps in areas like Al-Mawasi, designated as "humanitarian zones," are overwhelmed and lack sufficient resources to support the influx of displaced people.

Intensified Bombardment and International Response

Residents and aid workers report that bombardment of Gaza City has intensified dramatically, with heavy explosions destroying homes and infrastructure. The Israeli Defense Forces state that the operation aims to dismantle Hamas's remaining strongholds and secure the release of hostages, but the United Nations and other international bodies have condemned the scale of civilian suffering. A recent UN inquiry concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, marking the strongest such finding to date. Israel has rejected these allegations, maintaining that its actions target terrorist infrastructure.

Pope Leo XIV personally called the Catholic parish in Gaza City to express concern and solidarity with those sheltering there, as the parish continues to provide food, water, and medical aid to hundreds of people. Humanitarian access remains severely restricted, with many aid missions denied or impeded by ongoing hostilities. The crisis has left families facing an impossible choice: remain in a city under siege or flee to overcrowded, unsafe camps further south.

Ongoing Uncertainty and Calls for Ceasefire

The ground offensive has further diminished hopes for a ceasefire or hostage release deal, with U.S. and international officials warning that the window for negotiations is rapidly closing. As the Israeli military presses its campaign, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with aid agencies warning of a spiraling crisis that threatens the lives of tens of thousands of civilians. The international community remains divided, with calls for restraint and urgent humanitarian access growing louder as the conflict enters a new and perilous phase.