DaysofPal – The Israeli occupation army threatened on Saturday to unleash an “unprecedented” bombardment on Gaza, after days of intensified airstrikes and artillery fire that have already killed dozens and forced hundreds of thousands to flee Gaza City.
Entire residential blocks have been flattened under the weight of aerial bombardment, artillery shelling, and explosive-laden military vehicles. The exodus from Gaza City has accelerated as residents attempt to reach central and southern areas of the Strip in search of survival.
The military announced the closure of Salah al-Din Street, the main north-south corridor of Gaza, which it had briefly opened for 48 hours to allow civilians to evacuate. From now on, it declared, movement southward will only be permitted along the coastal Rashid Street.
The army renewed its warnings for residents to leave Gaza City for what it calls a “humanitarian zone” in the south, while vowing to continue operations with “extreme and unprecedented” force.
Last week, Israel announced the start of its ground offensive on Gaza City as part of Operation Gideon 2. However, various sources say its advance has remained limited despite heavy firepower.
Israeli reports revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the complete destruction of Gaza, though his vows to eliminate Hamas have been criticized as “empty promises.” Meanwhile, an Israeli security source denied that the army had rescued detainees or recovered bodies inside Gaza, contradicting earlier military claims.
According to army estimates, around 480,000 people have been displaced from Gaza City since the start of the offensive.
The humanitarian situation is deteriorating at an alarming rate. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed 28,000 cases of severe malnutrition among children in Gaza in just two months.
UNRWA estimated the cost of displacement from Gaza City to the south at $3,180, a devastating figure for families stripped of income and support.
A Gaza municipality spokesperson warned that hundreds of thousands remain crowded in the city center amid a near-total absence of aid. “Basic services have almost completely collapsed, and the infrastructure has been extensively damaged,” he said, describing misery on a massive scale.
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