The Israeli ground offensive in Gaza City has triggered a global outcry, largely led by Islamic nations and allied groups. Yet Israel insists it has a compelling justification for its actions. Spokespersons for the Israeli army, the IDF, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have repeatedly stressed that their objective is the complete elimination of Hamas. The militant group launched a sudden assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and abducting more than 250. Israel argues that its ongoing search operations, even within densely populated areas, are essential to ensure that such an attack can never be repeated.
Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and his successor Katz stated that the central aim of the campaign was to capture Hamas fighters who are waging what they describe as a “secret war” within Gaza’s civilian population. According to Israel, Hamas operates from within communities, often using women and children as human shields. Despite Gaza being frequently described as an “open-air prison,” Hamas has constructed an elaborate underground tunnel system that Israeli officials claim surpasses the scale of the Delhi Metro. This subterranean city, they say, is Hamas’s main strength. Reports suggest that many schools, hospitals, and residential buildings in Gaza conceal these tunnels. It is also believed that around 50 hostages remain trapped inside them.
Israel expands ground operations as IDF targets Hamas strongholds in Gaza
The IDF maintains that every house and hospital in Gaza must be searched and, if necessary, destroyed to root out Hamas’s presence. Israel argues this justifies its sweeping operations across the enclave. Of the estimated 1,300 tunnels built along Gaza, the Israeli military claims to have destroyed nearly 1,000. Having secured the outskirts of Gaza City, Israel has now effectively confined much of the civilian population to limited areas such as Al-Mawasi and Deir al-Balah, together covering only 25 kilometres in length and 20 kilometres in width. Roughly 1.5 million displaced Palestinians are said to be sheltering there, with makeshift tents turning the area into a sprawling camp. Meanwhile, Khan Yunis now hosts another 500,000 residents, with a large-scale exodus of civilians flowing toward the city amid intensified fighting, according to Israelibases.
⭕️ In the coming days, the IDF will carry out precise strikes against Hamas terrorist infrastructure in Gaza City:
The IDF has conducted extensive intelligence and identified significant Hamas terrorist activity within a wide variety of infrastructure sites in Gaza City.… pic.twitter.com/Ru9SR6QdNc
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 5, 2025
Israel’s official stance remains that such measures are non-negotiable for the protection of its people. Military officials insist that airstrikes and raids are only carried out when intelligence indicates Hamas activity. However, they admit that mistakes occur, sometimes due to faulty intelligence. The sense of fear within Israel has grown acute, with the military on edge after past incidents. In one tragic episode, IDF troops mistakenly shot and killed five Israeli hostages who had managed to escape Hamas captivity. The hostages, approaching with raised hands, were misidentified as potential attackers in disguise. This incident has heightened the military’s suspicion and contributed to its uncompromising approach.
Currently, about 10,000 Israeli soldiers are reported to be operating inside Gaza, supported by continuous air and artillery strikes. The IDF has announced that more than 500,000 Palestinians have already fled Gaza City for other areas of the strip, with the numbers of displaced rising rapidly. Civilian suffering is mounting, with recent strikes reported near Al Shifa, Al Ahli, and Al Rantisi hospitals. Israel claims that Hamas uses such facilities as operational bases. On the communications front, the internet services collapsed across much of the enclave. This blackout coincided with the IDF’s announcement that its forces had established control over Gaza City, marking a new phase in the ground war. In addition to operations in Gaza City, the Israeli army has extended its reach to surrounding areas, including Deir al-Balah.
Netanyahu stands firm on eliminating Hamas to secure Israel’s future
Despite mounting international criticism, Prime Minister Netanyahu has doubled down on his message. He insists that the war will continue until Hamas is completely eradicated and has declared himself willing to go to any lengths to achieve this objective. The Israeli leadership has repeated that their fight is not against ordinary Palestinians but against Hamas, whom they accuse of perpetuating conflict at the cost of civilian lives.
It wasn't just Hamas on October 7th.
Thousands of Palestinian Terrorists savages invaded Israel and slaughtered, raped, burned alive and kidnapped innocent Israeli civilians.
Those are the barbarians the world expect Jews to live side by side with? pic.twitter.com/cLmoXPqF7Q
— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) October 7, 2024
Observers, however, warn that the consequences of this military operations will be long-lasting. Some analysts believe Netanyahu’s ultimate vision goes beyond dismantling Hamas, pointing to the possibility of expanding military zones within Gaza and designating them as permanent ‘red zones.’ At the same time, Israel continues to strengthen its security presence in the West Bank, arguing that doing so is essential to prevent Hamas and other militant groups from expanding their reach. Israeli officials say that past peace efforts have repeatedly failed because Palestinian leadership has either rejected compromise or tolerated terrorism. From their perspective, the idea of a two-state solution has little meaning as long as Hamas remains committed to Israel’s destruction.
For Israel, the human toll of the conflict is tragic but unavoidable in the face of an adversary that embeds itself among civilians and refuses to lay down arms. Israeli leaders emphasise that the responsibility for the suffering in Gaza lies squarely with Hamas, whose October 7 massacre shattered any sense of security. Haunted by that trauma, Israel insists that its people’s safety must take precedence above all else. While the military campaign is exacting a heavy price, Israel believes it is the only path to ensure that its citizens are never again subjected to such an attack.
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