Nearly 100 Dead as Israel Launches Large-Scale Ground Invasion of Gaza City

Escalation in Gaza City sparks mass displacement and rising death toll

Gaza City, September 16, 2025 — Israel has initiated a large-scale ground invasion into Gaza City, following days of intense aerial bombardment and evacuation warnings. The Gaza Health Ministry and independent medical sources report that nearly 100 Palestinians have died in the opening hours of the assault, with dozens more injured.

The offensive: tanks, urban combat, and civilian peril

The Israeli military described the operation as a necessary step to dismantle Hamas’s “terror infrastructure” in Gaza City. Troops backed by tanks, air support, and drone surveillance have moved into urban neighborhoods, confronting fierce resistance from Hamas militants.

In Gaza City, 86 bodies were reported to have been brought to hospitals, while additional casualties were recorded in central and southern Gaza as strikes continued. Anadolu Ajansı+1 The assault has been accompanied by widespread destruction: collapsing residential buildings, cratered streets, and a growing humanitarian emergency.

Displacement, famine, and the risk of civil catastrophe

Mass displacement is already underway. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have fled southward, with UN and aid agencies warning that the coastal plain of Mawasi — designated by Israel as a “safe zone” — may not be safe or sufficient. Many families are unable to move or shelter elsewhere due to hunger, overcrowding, and lack of infrastructure.

Aid agencies have flagged rising levels of malnutrition and a collapse of health services in Gaza City. Some healthcare facilities, including al-Shifa hospital, are overwhelmed, and rescue operations are severely impeded by continuous bombardment.

International backlash and calls for accountability

The UN’s Independent International Commission on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza — a claim Israel has vehemently rejected. The commission pointed to consistent patterns of civilian harm, displacement, and destruction in its assessment.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the escalation, warning that “Gaza is burning” and stressing that a two-state solution is essential to avoid further conflict. The Guardian+1 European Union leaders likewise expressed deep concern, calling for renewed efforts towards ceasefire and humanitarian relief.

Looking ahead

As the ground invasion intensifies, experts warn that Gaza City — which has already endured prolonged bombardments — faces an escalating humanitarian catastrophe. The death toll may rise sharply over the coming days, and the strain on displaced populations, health systems, and aid networks could become catastrophic unless urgent protective measures, safe evacuation corridors, and international intervention are secured.