Israeli Tanks in Gaza City; Residents Say Fighting is Very Intense

Israeli forces bombarded Gaza City early on Monday, July 9, and a column of tanks advanced from various directions toward the heart of the city. Residents say that the airstrikes and tank shelling are among the heaviest attacks in Gaza since the war began. According to Reuters, the Gaza Civilian Emergency Service believes that dozens have been killed, but emergency teams have been unable to reach them due to the ongoing assault. Residents reported that neighborhoods in northern Gaza City were bombarded throughout the night and into the early hours of the morning, with several multi-story buildings destroyed. They stated that an Israeli tank pushed people toward the western road near the Mediterranean Sea. Abdul Ghani, a resident of Gaza City who did not provide his full name, said, 'The enemy is behind us and the sea is in front of us, where can we go?' The Israeli army stated in a statement that it is conducting operations against militant infrastructure in Gaza and has eliminated more than 30 militants. This new Israeli attack comes as Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. have intensified their efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, coinciding with the entry into the tenth month of the Gaza war. The ongoing war began with a surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7. This group has been financially and militarily supported by the Islamic Republic. The new British Prime Minister called for deepening relations with Israel in a call with Netanyahu. Israeli media reported that an American citizen was severely injured in a Hezbollah attack. Israeli protesters blocked roads demanding an agreement for the release of hostages in Gaza. A meeting of Israeli leaders with the negotiating team regarding ceasefire talks and the release of hostages was held.