Israeli forces pushed tanks deeper into Gaza City and employed a new tactic of detonating explosives-laden vehicles in the eastern suburb of Sheikh Radwan, Palestinian officials and witnesses reported on Monday. The offensive was accompanied by airstrikes that killed at least 19 people. The reports emerged as the International Association of Genocide Scholars stated it had passed a resolution asserting that the legal criteria have been met to establish that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
The military operation is part of Israel’s broader plan to take full control of the Gaza Strip, starting with its largest urban center, with the stated goals of destroying Hamas and rescuing the remaining 48 hostages. In the overcrowded Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, residents described a “night of horror” where old armored vehicles were sent in and then blown up remotely, destroying several houses and forcing numerous families to flee their homes.
The Israeli military dropped leaflets over Gaza City instructing residents to evacuate south immediately, warning of an intended expansion of its offensive westward. This directive has created widespread panic and confusion among the civilian population. Mohammad Abu Abdallah, a 55-year-old resident, expressed the dire dilemma faced by many: “People are confused, stay and die, or leave towards nowhere.”
There was no immediate response from Israel on the accounts of the specific offensive tactics or the statement from the genocide scholars’ association. Israel has consistently denied allegations that its actions in Gaza constitute genocide, maintaining that its operations are targeted against Hamas militants. The ongoing assault continues to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the densely populated territory
