By Manisha Sahu, America News World
September 17, 2025 — Israeli troops and tanks intensified their ground operations in Gaza City on Wednesday, advancing from multiple directions in what marks the second day of a broad offensive. As bombardments and artillery strikes escalated, thousands of civilians fled, many travelling on foot or by car, while others risked their lives to reach safety using a newly opened escape corridor. Meanwhile, overnight air and ground attacks killed at least 16 people, including women and children, according to hospital sources.
Ground Offensive Deepens
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that tanks and allied units are pushing into central and western parts of Gaza City from three separate axes. While no large-scale capture of territory has been reported so far, military officials say operations are carefully targeted, aimed at disabling what they describe as Hamas infrastructure embedded within civilian areas.
In parallel, Israel opened a temporary corridor south of Gaza City — via Salah al-Din Street — for a 48-hour period to allow civilians to flee ahead of further military advances.
Civilian Casualties and Damage
The overnight strikes claimed at least 16 lives across the territory, with several concentrated in Gaza City. Among the victims were a mother and child killed at their apartment in the Shati refugee camp. In central Gaza, a pregnant woman was killed in a strike that hit a house in the densely populated Nuseirat refugee camp. Additional deaths occurred in the Muwasi area west of Khan Younis, including young children caught up in attacks on tents.
Damage has also been reported to critical infrastructure. Hospitals are overwhelmed and under threat, with the destruction of residential towers complicating evacuation and rescue efforts. Communications have been disrupted in some regions, hampering both aid delivery and civilian movement.
Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating rapidly. With tens of thousands displaced, medical facilities overstretched, and supplies of food, water, and fuel dwindling, aid groups warn of worsening famine and health risks. UN agencies have expressed “grave concerns” particularly over northern Gaza, where access has become highly restricted and many are trapped.
Many civilians are torn between the risks of remaining in bombing zones and the dangers of trying to flee. The newly announced corridor offers some reprieve but is temporary, and many have voiced fears for their safety both during evacuation and in the overcrowded areas they might reach.
International Reactions Mount
International condemnation of Israel’s ground offensive has intensified. A United Nations-commission of inquiry recently concluded that Israel has committed acts that could amount to genocide, a charge Israel strongly denies.
The European Commission has proposed suspending free-trade arrangements for Israeli goods, and is considering sanctions against Israeli political leaders and those settlers involved in violence.
Pope Leo XIV delivered an impassioned appeal for a ceasefire, stressing that all parties must respect international humanitarian law. Countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have issued statements condemning the Israeli ground operation, with some characterizing it as a continuation of war against Palestinians.
Death Toll and Displacement
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that the death toll from the ongoing conflict has now surpassed 65,000 Palestinians; more than 165,000 are injured. These figures do not clearly distinguish between combatants and civilians, though medical sources assert a large proportion of the casualties are non-combatants.
Over recent days, tens of thousands of residents have fled Gaza City and its outskirts, heeding Israeli evacuation orders. The mass displacement has placed tremendous strain on southern Gaza, where infrastructure is already buckling.
What Lies Ahead
Israeli forces have said they seek to dismantle Hamas’s command and control in Gaza City, neutralize its remaining fighters (estimated in thousands by Israeli sources), and secure conditions for releasing the remaining Israeli hostages.
However, with no clear timeline yet for wrapping up the ground operations, and growing international demands for a ceasefire, pressure is mounting. The scale of destruction, loss of life, and displacement has drawn sharp criticism, and many fear the humanitarian fallout may become even more severe. The temporary southern corridor may provide short-term relief, but for many civilians, safety remains elusive.
Conclusion
As Israeli tanks and troops push further into Gaza City, the war enters a more intense and dangerous phase. The civilian death toll is rising, displacement continues on a massive scale, and international censure of Israel’s tactics is growing. For the people of Gaza, the question is not only how much ground is lost — but how much more can they lose in terms of lives, homes, and hope.
