Gaza City endured its heaviest bombardment in two years of war on Tuesday, with Israeli strikes killing at least 91 people and forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee.
The exodus came as high-rises, homes, and mosques crumbled under relentless fire, prompting the UN chief to condemn the offensive as “horrendous.”
Residents described a city engulfed in flames and smoke. “Gaza is burning,” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared on X, as long lines of vans, donkey carts, and families on foot carried belongings along al-Rashid Street.
Despite early vows to stay, many residents have now abandoned their homes, fearing they may never return. Those who could afford the journey moved south—though with no safe zone guaranteed.
Heavy civilian toll
Health officials confirmed at least 91 people were killed in Tuesday’s strikes, including victims of an Israeli bomb that struck a vehicle carrying evacuees on the coastal road.
Seventeen residential buildings were destroyed across Gaza City, among them Aybaki Mosque in the Tuffah neighbourhood, hit by an Israeli warplane.
The military also deployed explosive-laden robots, capable of demolishing dozens of housing units at a time. Rights group Euro-Med Monitor said 15 such machines were already in use.
Tanks push deeper into city
Reports indicated Israeli tanks were advancing into Gaza City’s northern, southern, and eastern areas. Entire neighbourhoods were reduced to rubble, deepening the humanitarian crisis.
About 1 million Palestinians had returned to Gaza City after earlier phases of the war, but their numbers are now dwindling rapidly.
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An Israeli army official estimated 350,000 had fled.
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Gaza’s Government Media Office said 350,000 were displaced within the city and 190,000 left entirely.
For those fleeing, conditions in the south remain dire. Al-Mawasi camp—already overcrowded with families displaced from Rafah and Khan Younis—has itself come under Israeli bombardment, leaving displaced civilians with few safe options.
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