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Israel says its renewed ground offensive in Gaza is aimed at targeting 2,000 – 3,000 Hamas militants but Germany and other western nations have sharply criticised IDF’s group ops.
Displaced Palestinians, fleeing northern Gaza due to an Israeli military operation, move southward after Israeli forces ordered residents of Gaza City to evacuate to the south, in the central Gaza Strip. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
The Israeli military said that it has moved to the centre of Gaza City on Tuesday claiming that the forces have expanded ground activity into Hamas’s main stronghold in Gaza. “Forces have expanded ground activity into Hamas’s main stronghold in Gaza, which is Gaza City. We are moving towards the centre.
The military estimated there were “2,000-3,000 Hamas” militants operating in the area, according to an official who spoke to news agency AFP. The operation codenamed Operation Gideon’s Chariots II, however, has earned Israel global consternation with Germany on Tuesday saying Israel’s ground assault on Gaza City as “completely wrong”.
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The German government said that it made clear to Israel that they reject the assault. “The renewed offensive towards Gaza City is… the completely wrong path,” said Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. “We reject this and have made this clear to the Israeli government.” The IDF also shared an interactive map of its offensive in Gaza City which showed how much IDF has ventured into the coastal enclave since the onset of the latest flareup between Israel and Hamas.
⭕️ IDF troops have begun expanding ground operations in Gaza City as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots IIIn the past day, IDF activity in Gaza City has began according to the operational plan, and is expected to expand in line with the current situational assessment.
Its aim… pic.twitter.com/dJBpd7wq1x
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 16, 2025
“IDF troops have begun expanding ground operations in Gaza City as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots II In the past day, IDF activity in Gaza City has began according to the operational plan, and is expected to expand in line with the current situational assessment. Its aim is to achieve the war’s objectives in Gaza and to enhance the achievements made during combat,” the IDF said.
The October 2023 attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures. Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed at least 64,905 people, also mostly civilians, according to figures from the territory’s health ministry that the United Nations considers reliable.
The vast majority of Gazans have been displaced at least once.
More mass displacement is underway as Israel ramps up efforts to seize control of Gaza City, where the UN has declared a full-blown famine.
Photos shared by news agency Reuters showed thousands of Palestinians, with their belonging stuffed atop truck and minivans, moving towards southern Gaza.
About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev…Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev… Read More
Gaza City, Palestinian Territories
September 16, 2025, 16:02 IST
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