The Israeli military launched a ground operation, advancing into the center of Gaza City, the largest city in the Gaza Strip.
According to CNN and Axios on 15th (local time), Israeli officials said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a ground assault to seize Gaza City. The assault came just hours after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirmed support for Israel.
Israeli outlet Ynet, citing Palestinian local media and witnesses, reported that the Israeli Air Force carried out intense airstrikes that night, and minutes later Israeli tanks entered the city center. Israel Minister of the Ministry of National Defense Israel Katz wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "The Gaza Strip is burning. The Israeli military is striking the terror infrastructure with an iron fist, and the soldiers are fighting hard to create the conditions for the release of hostages and the defeat of Hamas."
The Israeli military's attack was reported to have continued until the early morning of 16th. Palestinian media said there were 37 airstrikes over about 20 minutes. Some areas saw the use of "booby-trap robots," and there were also accounts that Apache attack helicopters carried out strikes over the city. The AP reported that 12 bodies were brought to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and 90 people were transported with injuries.
At a joint press conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Minister Rubio condemned Hamas, saying, "We must remember who we are dealing with," and "They are a group devoted to violence and barbarism." Minister Rubio was said to have told Prime Minister Netanyahu, "The United States supports the ground operation but wants it to end as soon as possible."
With the launch of the operation that day, the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian armed faction, is expected to reach a critical turning point. Having already seized 75% of the Gaza Strip, Israel began the "Gideon's Chariots Phase 2 Operation" on the 20th of last month, took control of the outskirts of Gaza City, and continued airstrikes while preparing to deploy ground forces in earnest into the city center. On 8th, it demanded Hamas' unconditional surrender and the release of hostages, warning that Gaza City would be reduced to ashes if it did not comply.
The United States proposed a plan to push for a cease-fire, exchange all Israeli hostages for 2,500 to 3,000 Palestinian prisoners, and then discuss detailed end-of-war terms, and has pressured Hamas to accept it.
Gaza City is Hamas' last stronghold, and Prime Minister Netanyahu has said he will completely seize this area and annihilate Hamas. Israel's security cabinet decided on Aug. 8 to take control of Gaza City. The total population of Gaza City is estimated at about 1 million, and on 13th the Israeli military estimated that 250,000 Gaza City residents had left the city.