Israel says 'Gaza is burning' as it launches ground assault

Israel announced the start of its long-awaited ground operation into Gaza City on Tuesday, declaring "Gaza is burning".

An Israeli military official said the Israeli Defence Forces had begun the main stage of their ground operation into Gaza City, the main urban centre in the enclave, where Israel has ordered hundreds of thousands of residents to flee.

The military gave few initial details but said its troops had begun "dismantling Hamas terrorist infrastructure in Gaza City". Residents should leave.

"Gaza is burning," Defence Minister Israel Katz posted on X. "The IDF strikes with an iron fist at the terrorist infrastructure and IDF soldiers are fighting bravely to create the conditions for the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas."

Residents said bombardment of the city had been ramped up dramatically over the past two days, with heavier explosions that destroyed dozens of homes, and naval boats joining tanks and planes in the bombardment of the coast.

"We have launched a significant operation in Gaza," Netanyahu said at the start of testimony in court in an ongoing corruption trial.

RUBIO SHOWS US SUPPORT FOR ISRAELI HARD LINE

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who visited on Monday, offered apparent backing for the Israeli government's decision to abandon ceasefire talks and use force to smash Hamas.

While the United States wished to see a diplomatic end to the war, "we have to be prepared for the possibility that's not going to happen", Rubio said. He endorsed the Israeli demand that Hamas surrender its weapons and free all remaining hostages at once, as the only way to end the war.

Netanyahu ordered the military last month to capture Gaza City, which he describes as the last stronghold of the militant group that launched the October 2023 surprise attack on Israel that precipitated the war.

Israeli forces had been operating on the outskirts of Gaza City for weeks, edging closer to the centre of the city. An Israeli security official briefing reporters on Monday said around 320,000 people were estimated to have left Gaza City so far, while some 650,000 are thought to remain.

It was not possible to verify the figures independently. Thousands of residents have been fleeing in caravans with their belongings.

Israel's political leaders say the offensive is part of a plan to dismantle Hamas as a political and armed organization. Netanyahu has insisted the group must lay down its weapons and have no future role in Gaza.

The Israeli military has leveled buildings in Gaza City suburbs in recent weeks, including high-rise towers.

Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking about 251 hostages, Israeli tallies show. Israeli authorities say 20 of the remaining 48 hostages in Gaza are alive.