Gaza City residents describe ‘horror’ of Israel’s ground invasion
The Israeli military is extensively using remote-controlled vehicles and explosive robots in densely populated urban areas of Gaza City.
Many people who lived in these neighbourhoods are now buried and missing in the piles of rubble. Large numbers of buildings have been completely destroyed, detonated without any prior warning.
The Israeli military uses the tactic of planting these explosives at night, and, in the morning, these devices are detonated, causing many casualties. People who have managed to escape have described the horror since Israel expanded its offensive last month.
The army is gradually moving into the heart of the city, forcing the vast majority of Palestinians to move towards the western area and the coastal road to the south. This road is now open only one way – to Gaza’s south. The journey is extremely dangerous and exhausting.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen the destruction and demolition of high-rise residential towers. But now these remote-controlled explosives are destroying entire neighbourhoods.
These areas at one time represented a refuge for many forcibly displaced families. They have eroded to the point where that doesn’t exist any more.
Forcibly displaced again, Palestinians from Gaza City head south
Many are sleeping on the coastal road after fleeing Israel’s relentless bombardment
Gaza City’s Sabra, Shati camp focus of latest Israeli attacks
Attacks are clearly intensifying across Gaza City, particularly in the Sabra neighbourhood, where the vast majority of people have concentrated. They’ve congregated there because there’s a little bit of drinking water and access to food supplies.
But the Israeli military has ramped up its attacks on this neighbourhood, pushing more people either on to the coastal road or into central parts of Gaza, which have become quite deadly.
We spoke to a couple of people on the phone to get a feel for what is going on, and we could clearly hear the sound of machinegun fire and drones in the background.
Israel’s military has also focused on the Shati refugee camp in an attempt to depopulate the area. The pace of attacks there resembles previous assaults on Jabalia refugee camp.
The military is using a combination of drones and fighter jets, while systematically demolishing remaining residential towers, particularly with remotely operated explosive vehicles.
