Gaza — Gaza City is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis as Israeli military forces advance from multiple directions, effectively ‘sandwiching’ residents and forcing mass displacement. The offensive, involving infantry, tanks, artillery, and airstrikes, targeting Palestinians, has driven waves of civilians toward the al-Rashid coastal road in a desperate bid to evacuate. Human rights observers warn that these attacks amount to a genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, as families face relentless bombardment and widespread civilian casualties. Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani stated that the operation is aimed at applying pressure on Hamas, though the human toll continues to rise.
Key facts from Thursday’s attacks include at least 40 reported deaths in Gaza war alone, the deployment of unmanned explosive-laden vehicles, and waves of families fleeing the city amid fears of continued aerial bombardment. Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud reported from Nuseirat that residents are “literally running for their lives” as strikes intensify from the northwest and southeast, sandwiching neighborhoods between advancing forces. This escalation has left Gaza City’s 2.1 million residents in constant peril, with roughly 740,000 people still in northern sectors, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
The collapse of humanitarian lifelines has compounded the war in Gaza. The UN humanitarian office, OCHA, warned that Gaza City’s last remaining aid corridors are blocked, including the closure of the Zikim crossing and bans on essential food items. Families attempting to relocate face the harsh reality of returning home being impossible, highlighting the lack of safe zones in the territory. International human rights bodies have condemned the indiscriminate attacks. The OHCHR in Palestine tweeted, “The Israeli strikes on internally displaced persons, including as they try to leave Gaza City or seek shelter near hospitals, show the Israeli military’s blatant disregard for the fundamental principle of distinction.”
Beyond Gaza City, the wider enclave has also suffered. Medical sources reported at least 10 Palestinians killed in other areas, while the Israeli military confirmed four soldier fatalities in Rafah. The continued escalation coincides with the US veto of a Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire, the lifting of aid restrictions, and the release of hostages held by Hamas. UK permanent representative Barbara Woodward criticized the expansion of Israel’s offensive, saying it “takes us further away from a deal which could bring the hostages home and end the suffering in Gaza City.”
The siege has triggered mass displacement along the western axis of Gaza, funneling civilians toward coastal roads and southern exits. Families are navigating destroyed streets and rubble-strewn neighborhoods, often without access to food, water, or medical care. The situation is exacerbated by relentless aerial strikes, drone attacks, and the use of explosive robots, ‘sandwiching’ civilians in narrow corridors. The psychological toll on civilians is immense, with reports of children and elderly trapped in the chaos, unable to flee safely.
Aid organizations report operational challenges in delivering essential supplies due to systematic blockages. OCHA notes that Gaza City’s last lifelines are collapsing, with humanitarian convoys facing severe restrictions. The inability to access safe passages or secure zones has left many residents stranded in areas of active combat. The UN humanitarian office and other international observers have repeatedly emphasized the obligation of warring parties under international law to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid, yet enforcement remains minimal.
The attacks have drawn widespread condemnation from human rights advocates, who accuse the Israeli military of disregarding international law norms. OHCHR emphasized that the ongoing offensive violates the principle of distinction between combatants and non-combatants, particularly when strikes target internally displaced persons near hospitals and shelters. This pattern of aggression, critics argue, amounts to collective punishment, a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Local sources describe scenes of chaos across central Gaza City, where streets are littered with debris from destroyed homes and infrastructure, and residents are being sandwiched between advancing forces while carrying their belongings southward under threat of aerial bombardment. Hospitals are overwhelmed, struggling to treat casualties amid power outages and limited medical supplies. Families report being forced to leave elderly relatives and those with limited mobility behind, a decision made under duress as they seek to survive the relentless assault.
The Israeli military’s strategy has created a near-impossible environment for civilians to navigate. Observers note that pushing populations toward narrow coastal corridors effectively sandwiches them within zones of heightened vulnerability. The use of drones and robotic explosives in urban neighborhoods has amplified the risk of indiscriminate civilian harm. International law requires warring parties to distinguish between military targets and civilians, but repeated violations have been documented throughout Gaza City.
Humanitarian agencies continue to call for immediate measures to protect civilians, including the establishment of safe zones and unimpeded access for aid convoys. The UN Secretary-General has urged all parties to halt hostilities and prioritize civilian safety, emphasizing that the current trajectory threatens not only Gaza’s population but also regional stability. Analysts suggest that without swift intervention, the cumulative impact of continuous bombardment, restricted aid, and mass displacement will result in a catastrophic humanitarian outcome.
Key facts from Thursday’s escalation include the deployment of explosive-laden unmanned vehicles, relentless aerial strikes from drones and fighter jets, and the mass displacement of families along the al-Rashid coastal road, effectively ‘sandwiching’ them between military fronts. Medical sources reported at least 40 fatalities in Gaza City, with additional casualties across the enclave as the conflict intensifies. The blockade of aid routes and destruction of infrastructure have left residents without access to essential services, forcing international agencies to call for immediate intervention.
The unfolding events in Gaza City reflect a dire humanitarian scenario, with civilians trapped in a shrinking corridor under constant military assault. International observers have warned of the consequences of continued inaction, noting that the combination of displacement, restricted aid, and indiscriminate targeting may constitute violations of international law. Human rights groups continue to demand accountability and unimpeded access for life-saving assistance.
According to Al Jazeera, these developments highlight both the Israeli military’s strategic encirclement and the human toll of the offensive, with civilians being sandwiched between advancing forces. An eyewitness described the scene as “families are literally running for their lives, trapped between airstrikes and rubble,” underscoring the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza City.
