Significant strikes were reported on Monday evening in the northwest of Gaza City, ahead of an IDF operation to capture the city. According to reports, IDF tanks were observed in the city.
Overnight, the Israel Air Force struck dozens of targets across Gaza City, in neighborhoods including Sabra, Daraj, Sheikh Radwan, Shati refugee camp, Tel al-Hawa, and other areas.
According to Palestinian Arab reports, dozens were killed and injured in the strikes, with many missing amid the rubble of destroyed buildings.
Defense Minister Israel Katz commented on the IDF strikes in Gaza City and said, "Gaza is burning. The IDF is striking terror infrastructure with an iron fist, and IDF soldiers are fighting heroically to create the conditions for the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas. We will not relent or turn back until the mission is complete."
The defense establishment estimated that approximately 320,000 residents of Gaza have already moved south toward the humanitarian zones prepared for them.
A security official told Channel 12 News, “The number of Gazans who have moved so far allows the maneuver to begin.”
The IDF believes that expanding the strikes significantly will continue to influence the population to move south and out of Gaza City, as has occurred in other areas where the IDF has entered within the Strip.