On September 16, 2025, Israel launched a major ground assault on Gaza City, intensifying a conflict that has already resulted in a humanitarian crisis lasting almost two years. The offensive follows months of airstrikes and has sparked international condemnation, notably from the United Nations, which has called for an immediate halt to the violence.
The Ground Assault and Its Immediate Human Impact
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that “Gaza is ablaze,” stating,
“The IDF is striking with an iron fist at the terrorist infrastructure and Israeli soldiers are fighting heroically to create the conditions for the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas. We will not relent and we will not go back – until the completion of the mission”.
The ground operation, which commenced on Gaza City’s outskirts, represents a concerted effort to flush out an estimated 3,000 Hamas fighters entrenched in the city, the territory’s largest population center.
The sheer scale of devastation has escalated alarmingly. Gaza City, home to approximately one million Palestinians, has been subjected to relentless bombardment that has reduced much of its infrastructure to rubble after sustained Israeli military operations since October 7, 2023. Residents report constant bombardments, with one Gaza City resident, Maysar Al Adwan, describing,
“Fear, fear, it’s all fear. Explosions over our heads, all day”.
Hospitals such as Al-Risi Children’s Hospital have been hit multiple times, critically endangering patients, including children. Médecins sans Frontières and other NGOs have reported their emergency departments are overwhelmed and operating with critically low medical stocks. Amid these assaults, at least 93 Palestinians were reported killed in northern Gaza alone on one day, with total daily fatalities exceeding 100 across the enclave.
Despite Israeli military orders encouraging evacuation, only about 40% of Gaza City’s residents have managed to flee, raising grave concerns about the scale of civilian casualties in this overcrowded urban enclave.
United Nations and International Condemnation
The United Nations has strongly condemned the ground assault and the preceding strikes for exacerbating what is described as a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The UN Secretary-General and special rapporteurs called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, warning that continued actions could amount to serious violations of international law. The UN accuses Israel of acts amounting to genocide, stating that civilians are being “collectively targeted due to their identity as Palestinians”.
In response to the ongoing military operations, the UN Commission declared on September 16 that Israel’s attacks in Gaza constitute acts of genocide, a first in international law scrutiny of the conflict’s latest phase. The Israeli government has dismissed this report as a “distorted and false narrative,” calling for the dissolution of the investigative body.
Beyond the UN, global powers like China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Canada have vocalized strong opposition to the offensive, condemning both the military operations and the mounting civilian deaths. The European Commission responded by imposing new trade sanctions targeting far-right Israeli officials perceived responsible for perpetuating the conflict.
Israeli Government’s Justification and Strategic Rationale
Despite fierce international outcry, Israeli leaders emphasize that the ground assault is a necessary step toward national security. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has underscored the importance of defeating Hamas and securing the release of Israeli hostages held by the group. He insists Israel is at a pivotal moment in the conflict, framing the operation as critical to long-term regional stability.
Netanyahu, supported by key figures including former U.S. President Trump, who warned of tough consequences for Hamas if hostages were used as human shields, has chosen to proceed with the intensified military campaign despite both global and internal dissent. Defense Minister Katz echoed this stance, asserting,
“We will not relent and will not go back until the mission is complete”.
This determination is rooted in Israel’s strategic calculation that a decisive blow to Hamas’ stronghold in Gaza City will degrade Hamas’ operational capacity, potentially concluding the conflict. However, the plan faces significant tactical challenges due to Hamas’ embedded presence in civilian areas and the geographic density of Gaza City.
Humanitarian Crisis and Civilian Suffering
The humanitarian toll of the ground assault is staggering. Approximately one million people live in Gaza City, and prior to the ground offensive, Gaza was already facing food and medical shortages, exacerbated by blockades and repeated attacks. The offensive has intensified famine conditions in parts of the city, with official agencies warning of a full-scale humanitarian disaster.
Hospitals report critical shortages of medicines, oxygen, and food. NGOs on the ground describe emergency departments as overwhelmed, operating beyond capacity, and unable to adequately treat the influx of casualties from the fighting. Many residents have been displaced multiple times in the last two years and now face perpetual insecurity and hardship.
Local testimonies paint a grim picture of civilian life amidst the assault. Ahmed Ghazal, 25, recounted the “heavy, relentless bombing” and “screams” penetrating the town. Families are forced to flee with minimal belongings while explosions obliterate neighborhoods, turning familiar surroundings into unrecognizable wreckage.
The Opposition to the Military Campaign
Human rights organizations and international legal experts warn that Israel’s military actions in Gaza amount to collective punishment and serious breaches of international humanitarian law. The UN and NGOs caution that disproportionate use of force and failure to distinguish combatants from civilians risk escalating the death toll and international condemnation.
Critics argue that the offensive is deepening a humanitarian catastrophe and perpetuating cycles of violence, risking generational trauma and fueling further extremism. The United Nations calls on Israel to respect the principles of distinction and proportionality under international law, emphasizing protection for non-combatants and access to humanitarian aid.
Analysis and Geopolitical Implications
The Gaza ground assault signals a pivotal moment in one of the region’s most enduring conflicts. Israel’s determination to decisively defeat Hamas is clear; however, this military campaign risks significant international fallout. The UN’s genocide accusation, international trade sanctions targeting Israeli officials, and vocal opposition from Muslim-majority countries point to growing diplomatic isolation.
Furthermore, the humanitarian crisis threatens to destabilize neighboring regions. An influx of refugees, overwhelming aid organizations, and escalating hostilities could spark broader regional insecurity.
Israel’s choice to withstand global pressure underscores the conflict’s intractability. While the military objective is to dismantle Hamas’ networks and free hostages, the ensuing destruction may complicate post-conflict reconciliation efforts.
