Gaza Herald – Tensions are escalating in Gaza as Israel steps up its military presence and bombardments ahead of a planned offensive to seize Gaza City, the territory’s largest urban center. Reports from AFP and Israeli media point to a significant troop buildup and intensified airstrikes in recent days.
Israeli reservists have begun responding to call-up orders despite growing international pressure for an end to the campaign. The planned assault on Gaza City follows days of heavy shelling across multiple neighborhoods.
Gaza’s civil defense agency spokesperson Mahmud Bassal reported that Israeli warplanes struck a residential building in southwestern Gaza City, killing 10 civilians. He also confirmed that helicopters hit an apartment building in the city’s west, killing three people and injuring several others.
Meanwhile, Gaza faces a deepening humanitarian catastrophe. The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared famine in the territory last month, noting that since March 2, Israeli authorities have closed Gaza’s border crossings, cutting off food and aid for the 2.4 million residents.
As Israel prepares for what could be the most extensive phase of its offensive, civilians in Gaza remain trapped between mounting military operations and a worsening humanitarian crisis that shows no signs of easing.
