Daijiworld Media Network- Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Sep 5: The Israeli military on Thursday said it now controls 40 per cent of Gaza City and plans to intensify its operations in the coming days, even as thousands of Palestinians remain in their homes despite evacuation orders.

Military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin confirmed that Israeli forces had advanced through Zeitoun and Sheikh Radwan neighbourhoods and were pushing closer to the city centre. “The operation will continue to expand and intensify. We will pursue Hamas everywhere until hostages are returned and Hamas’ rule ends,” he stated.

Gaza health authorities reported at least 53 deaths on Thursday due to Israeli bombardments, most of them in Gaza City. Residents said Israeli tanks and airstrikes targeted Zeitoun, Sabra, Tuffah, and Shejaia districts, causing widespread destruction and fires in tent settlements.

Defrin also acknowledged that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had told ministers that, in the absence of a post-war plan, Israel may be forced to impose military rule in Gaza — a proposal strongly pushed by far-right ministers but resisted so far by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel launched the current Gaza City offensive on August 10, declaring it a decisive phase aimed at dismantling Hamas’ infrastructure. However, the campaign has drawn global criticism for worsening the humanitarian crisis, while even within Israel, unease has grown over mounting civilian casualties and differences between political leaders and military commanders.